Tales of the Red Branch ~ Storytelling Contest

Tales of the Red Branch

From the mythic mists of Éire come the tales of the Red Branch (Croab Ruadh), set in northern Ireland roughly 2,000 years ago.

Reading these early prose tales are much like reading exciting comics about Iron Age superheroes. They paint vivid pictures of a time when cattle and honour are foremost to the early Celts: when a man’s worth is measured by his cattle, and his honour by his prowess and hospitality.

The stories bring alive the births, lives and deaths of the legendary kings, queens and heroes, their battles, feats, feasts, courtships, customs, Otherworld connections and, above all, their infamous cattle raids.

The ancient poets who composed these tale tell us that the goddess Macha herself founded Emain Macha, the royal seat of the Ulaid; and that the land and people prospered under King Conchobar MacNessa, whose mythic hero Cú Chulainn was the greatest in all of Éire.

The other seat of power was Connacht, in Cruachu, home of mighty Queen Medb, whose greed spurred one of the greatest epic battles of Éire: The Cattle Raid of Cooley (Táin Bó Cúailnge). The raid ends with the two magic sidhe bulls locking horns and the demise of the broken-hearted victor.

Now it's our turn to retell our favourite Red Branch tales!

For more info, read MacMorna Niafer's summary of the Red Branch Cycle.


Links to Red Branch tales: Cattle Raid of Cooley (several tales to choose from) Bricriu's Feast and the War of Words of the Women of Ulster The Intoxication of the Ulstermen The Dream of Oengus The Driving of the Cattle of Flidais

Memento:

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Credits

Sponsored by The Writers' Bothy
Donn Cuailnge & Finnbennach (knotwork bulls) by Amlaidh Niafer
Coordinated by Fenian Niafer, MacMorna Niafer and Fedelm Cruithni

Contest rules:

1. The contest begins on Friday, May 1 and ends on Monday, May 4, AW time.

2. Tell your favourite Red Branch tale in your own words, or follow the links provided and choose one to rewrite.

3. There are no restrictions on length, style, form, or number of stories entered.

4. Warning: stories longer than 1,000 words may strain the attention span of the judges.

5. The contest is open to all, including AW staff.

6. Post all entries on this thread with "Entry" in the title.

7. Three prizes will be awarded after the closing date: Three prizes from the AW Store featuring the lovely knotwork bulls designed by Amlaidh Niafer. Knotwork bull plaques will also be awarded.

8. Please do not post contest entries on this thread until after the Beltaine bonfire opening ceremony, on Friday, May 1. Thanks!

9. Please abide by the AW Code of Conduct.

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