Táin Bó
The Great Cattle Raid
Táin Bó is a battle among branches
Táin Bó was originally conceived from a desire to have a "war-like" event where multiple and varied SCA activities could earn branches points toward victory. The original creators also had a desire to actively engage members of the branches of the SCA in friendly competition to increase inter-shire relationship building and comradery. Last year only Shires could compete for the ultimate Tain Bo Victor - this year (and all years going forward), however, ALL branches of the SCA can compete!
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Táin Bó is built upon the 3 pillars of the SCA: Martial activities, Arts and Sciences, and Service. All three areas are represented at Táin Bó and participants in each category have the ability to earn points for their local branch (or to be bartered to other groups, in the case of returning Tain Bo Victors, who act as mercenaries). Not only do event guests earn points simply for partaking in the activity, but they earn more for winning specific scenarios, competitions, etc. Finally, each of the 3 pillars, beyond participation points, has an even amount of battle points to be earned! Your branch may not have the most heavy fighters, for example, but may win the day through your amazing service and artisans!
As this is a new event for the Summits and An Tir, we are not able to offer every activity possible, such as equestrian. However, as we move forward we would love to continue to add more and more for the enjoyment and ultimate betterment of the populace.
Take a look around and please let us know if there is any way we can help you!
- Lady Milisandia filia Willelmi Filii Roberti & Lord Piaras mac Toirdhealbhaigh, Event Stewards
Site Fees
History of Táin Bó
Adult Member (Ages 18 and up): $15 ($5 Non-Member Surchage applies for those who cannot provide proof of SCA membership)
Youth (Ages 10-17): FREE
Children (Ages 0-9): FREE
Did you know? Among the Celts, warfare was widely reported to have mainly been a sport, focusing on raids and hunting, battles of champions. That’s of course, an over simplification. Like many sports, it had it’s place in maintaining society and became highly stylized. In Ireland, the institution of the fianna involved young, aristocratic warriors who left the tribal area for a time to conduct raids and to hunt. Myth and legend are full of accounts relating encounters consisting of seemingly ritualized raids and counter raids whereby the hero/heroin and their fellows gain renown and wealth. Not coincidentally, by today’s standards serving a dual purpose as a Right of Passage and social pressure valve that avoided the more serious blood feuds that could divide tribes and eliminate whole clans.
Celtic society was strongly centered on the raising of cattle or sheep; there was some agriculture in the Celtic world, but not much. In fact, the Irish word for road is ‘bothar’, which means ‘cattle-way’. Many modern Irish roads began in this way- as cattle tracks. The value of cattle in combination with other important aspects that helped maintain balance in Celtic culture, particularly Irish, life: the cattle-raid. The stealing of another group's cattle was often the proving point of a group of young warriors.
One of the greatest surviving Irish legends is from the Epic of the Ulster Cycle , the Táin Bó Cualingne, (pronounced Tay-ne bow Coo-lee) or "The Cattle Raid of Cooley," centers around one such mythically-enhanced tale.
There are a good number of translations and adaptations available. Nothing beats a good reading or retelling of the whole thing, but, here are some well done summaries. You will really like the back story of who is who and who are the sons and daughters of which gods.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%A1in_B%C3%B3_C%C3%BAailnge
I know it’s Wiki, but it has a surprisingly good synopsis
http://www.enotes.com/topics/tain-bo-cualnge
Another excellent breakdown. I’m telling you, George Martin’s got nothing on the Tain Bo Cauilnge
http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/past/pre_norman_history/iron_age.html
a nice overview of the Celtic migrations and historical development