Tailtiu and the Tailtian Games

Tailtiu, sometimes spelt Tailltiu or Tailte, was regarded as a corn (barleycorn or other grain) goddess in some accounts of Irish mythology. A town in County Meath was named for her, today known as Teltown. In more recent history, this town was the seat of the Ui Niall clan. According to legend, she was the daughter of a king of Spain (Magmor) and the wife of King Eochaid mac Eirc, son of Erc, son of Rinnal (Eochu Garb son of Dui Dall, depending on version).

art by shibori

Eochaid, the last Fir Bolg High King of Ireland, was in turn overthrown by the Tuatha Dé Danann after a ten-year reign. It was during the first Battle of Magh Tuiredh that he was allegedly overcome by thirst, and could find no water due to enemy druidic magic. He was found and killed. By the Annals of the Four Masters, he reigned from 1907 to1897 BCE, and according to the reckoning of another pseudo-source, he reigned from 1487-1477 BCE.

However, Tailtiu survived the invasion, and became the foster mother of Lugh (Lug, Lú).

She was charged with clearing the plain of Bregmag (Breg) in County Meath by herself. From the Metrical Dindshenchas, we learn:

"Great that deed that was done with the axe's help by Taltiu, the reclaiming of meadowland from the even wood by Taltiu daughter of Magmor."

Even for a goddess, this was strenuous work, and upon completion, she collapsed, never having the opportunity in life to enjoy the fields of clover and, presumably, other crops, that soon grew upon this large estate.

"Great en the fair wood was cut down by her, roots and all, out of the ground, before the year's end it became Bregmag, it became a plain blossoming with clover. Her heart burst in her body from the strain beneath her royal vest; not wholesome, truly, is a face like the coal, for the sake of woods or pride of timber.

Long was the sorrow, long the weariness of Tailtiu, in sickness after heavy toil; the men of the island of Erin to whom she was in bondage came to receive her last behest. She told them in her sickness (feeble she was but not speechless) that they should hold funeral games to lament her - zealous the deed ."

Upon her death and this request, it is said that Lugh established such a first-harvest festival, Áenach Tailteann (Óenach Tailten, Teltown Fair, the Fair of Tailteann).

Her vision for these annual games and this fair was for a time of peace. Indeed, so lasting was this celebration it that it was held to honor by the Fir Bolg, the Tuatha Dé Danann, and the Christians who took hold at the time of Patrick, although it appears there was a period of some years where the games were abandoned. When once again the people and their chariots celebrated it again, prosperity returned to Eire. Variants of the games and celebrations apparently survived up until the 18th century among the peasantry, although the last official celebration appears to have been sponsored by the Ard Rí, Ruaidri Ua Conchobair, in 1168 AD. Tailtiu's vision insisted that during the time of festival, emnities be set aside:

"A fair with gold, with silver, with games, with music of chariots, with adornment of body and of soul by means of knowledge and eloquence. A fair without wounding or robbing of any man, without trouble, without dispute, without reaving, without challenge of property, without suing, without law-sessions, without evasion, without arrest"

By the enouragement of justice during this time, Tailtiu in response insured a good harvest, with a plentitude of grain, milk, and fair weather. It grew into an extensive celebration - the Fair of Tailteann in 1168 supported 13,000 horsemen alone.

Races, athletics, poetry and song were all promoted at the Fair. It was likely that these occurences of bringing people together for annual competition and celebration also spurred trade.

Also according to the Metrical Dindshenchas, here on the Plain of Bregmag were built funeral walls, alongside which were installed tombs for twenty kings and twenty queens of Tara. Tailtiu's own deceased husband was laid to rest here. Upon the Triple Rampart of Tailtiu, it was said kings and others would come to fast, in order that their people not know famine.

semacc

Sleave Beagh is a neighboring site on the same axis as Tailtui's Hill. It is also a hill, incorporating prehistoric ring banks on its summit. Also presumably associated is the nearby Dunany Point, on the same axis.

Óenach Tailten was one of the many Celtic early harvest festivals today conflated into Lughnasa, each with their own mythologies. For instance, Carman, another goddess and perhaps semi-mythological person, had her own related festival. Unfortunately, the eighteenth century saw many cultural and political changes which encouraged authorities to stamp out these old festivals. Without the underpinnings of a way of life, either pagan or Christianized, what remained of these festivals devolved into debauchery, and there was seen little need to retain them, eventually even by the peasantry.

Credits:

Thank you to Shibori Murasaka for the very fine artwork featuring Tailtiu.
Thank you to Fedelm Cruithni for referencing many of the sources used in this article.
Co. Meath mound photographed by semacc.

References:

Metrical Dindshenchas, Volume 4 Tailtiu
Origins of the Pattern
Tailtiu
Eochaid mac Eirc
The High Kings of Ireland
Dames, Michael. Mythic Ireland. 1992. Thames and Hudson, New York, ISBN 0-500-27872-5.