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Folklore: Queen Maeve's profile
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Folklore: Queen Maeve's profile |
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Subject: Folklore: Queen Maeve's profile From: Thomas the Rhymer Date: 12 Apr 03 - 11:26 AM Who was Queen Maeve? ... and why does she have a cairn? And when was 'her' cairn named after her? Also, anyone been inside, and what's it like? ttr |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Queen Maeve's profile From: Alba Date: 12 Apr 03 - 12:07 PM You might like to try this link: http://www.rootsweb.com/~Irish/legend3.html It gives you some information on Maeve. Cheers Alba |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Queen Maeve's profile From: Micca Date: 12 Apr 03 - 12:58 PM See also " The Tain" Thomas Kinsella, Oxford University Press ( a translation of the "Tain Bo Cuailgne" the ancient Irish epic) |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Queen Maeve's profile From: The Pooka Date: 12 Apr 03 - 01:34 PM I believe I've read that Maeve, in addition to being a mighty warrior and Queen of Connaught, was rather Hot. :) In any case, the Local Ireland website has a brief synopsis of The Cattle Raid of Cooley -- the "Tain Bo Cuailgne" as Micca said -- in which Maeve's army fought the Ulster champion Cuchulainn over who owned the best bull. (Scholars debate whether this may have set the pattern for Irish warfare even unto the present day.) My favorite excerpt from the summary is, "Meanwhile, the men of Ulster are ill with labour pains, the legacy of a curse put on them for their inhuman treatment of a pregnant woman." There IS justice. Re the Queen's Cairn, http://sligo.local.ie says: "Overlooking Carrowmore megalithic cemetery on the summit of Knocknarea Montain is the huge flat topped cairn called Miosgan Meadhbha or Maeve's Cairn. Visible for miles around, there are spectacular views from the Cairn. It is unexcavated. The name of the monument along with folklore suggests it was built for the mystical character Maeve, The Iron Age Queen of Connacht. One of the primary causes of erosion to the monument is the habit of visitors to use cairn stones to form names or patterns on the ground around the cairn. Not only is it illegal to remove stones from this or any other monument, it is also considered to be a source of bad luck!" If I everagain go across the sea to Ireland, I want to see that site. But I will not touch a stone upon a stone. You don't want to get on the bad side of Queen Maeve, oh no. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Queen Maeve's profile From: The Pooka Date: 12 Apr 03 - 01:46 PM AND -- just to add a Musical touch to this well-placed Folkloric thread -- here is the Queen Maeve School of Traditional Music and Song, Sligo Town, Ireland. :) |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Queen Maeve's profile From: GUEST,Q Date: 12 Apr 03 - 02:01 PM I still have an interesting book from my childhood, retelling old myths, titled "Cuchulain, the Hound of Ulster," by Eleanor Hull (1913 and reprints). It includes a few stories about Queen Maeve. In one, Cuchulain aids the very tired Queen Maeve to return to Connaught with her forces. Cuchulain struck one blow in Ulster's honor; with his "Little Hard," he sheared of the summit of a hillock. "Between Connaught and Ulster, "let that hill stand evermore, a witness to our strength and to our gentleness!" From that time on, Connaught withheld its hand, nor did Maeve venture ever again to dispute in war with Ulster. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Queen Maeve's profile From: Thomas the Rhymer Date: 13 Apr 03 - 02:12 AM Cool, Q... interesting anecdotes. I am exceedingly fond of the myth and mystery of the ancient seasonal star knoledge, and the realities of the warrior Queen are fascinating! But why is this called Maeve's Cairn? ...or am I missing an obvious connection between her and the location of her cairn? Cheerio! ttr |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Queen Maeve's profile From: GUEST Date: 13 Apr 03 - 03:17 AM Tommy, Maeve is probably an early Celtic goddess. Her name is very familiar in Ireland still. There was Maeve, Queen of the Shee and there was the semi-mythical Queen of Connacht, the western province of Ireland. Maebh's burial mound is located on the flat top of Knocknaree (the hill of the kings) according to tradition, thus 'Maeve's Cairn'. Maeve was married to Aillil and they argued in bed over which of them had brought the most valuable dowry to their marriage. They matched each other item for item until her husband mentioned his great white bull to which Maebh had no equal. Miffed, she inquired where she might get such a bull for her own herd and was advised that 'The Brown Bull of Cooley' in the neighboring province of Ulster was the best in all Ireland. So begins the famous 'Táin Bó Cuailne' or 'The Cattle Raid of Cooley'with its numerous sub-plots and side stories. Reading it in translation opens one's eyes to how influential (though not always acknowledged) Irish myth and legend has been in western imagination. Its amazing how some aspects of 'The Táin' remind one of such modern-day classic fantasy stories as 'Superman', 'The Incredible Hulk', 'Star Wars'and even 'Lord of the Rings'. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Queen Maeve's profile From: Micca Date: 13 Apr 03 - 04:46 AM Guest(03.17above)That is the beauty of Kinsellas version, usually the translations are done as very dry renditions, He, being a poet, translated it to retain and regain the lyrical poetic qualities of the Work, and a damned good read it is too, some parts Just BEG to be read aloud!!! and as an accompaniment, if one is needed try "The Tain" by Horslips!! a folk rock set of tunes inspired by the story,on CD, Excellent stuff, if thats your taste |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Queen Maeve's profile From: alison Date: 14 Apr 03 - 03:25 AM according to a book I have, when the kings of tara were appointed, they were obliged to mate with Maeve.!! I agree with Micca its a great read..... and the Horslips album is still one of my favourites. slainte alison |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Queen Maeve's profile From: Cluin Date: 14 Apr 03 - 10:47 PM I hear her profile was quite fetching. But when she turned to look at you, you were in trouble... |
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