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A new translation of Ireland's national epic myth by award-winning author and Irish language expert Alan Titley.
When Queen Maeve’s army marches north to steal the Brown Bull of Cooley, the leaders of Ulster are cast under a sleeping spell.
Just one boy comes out to face the warrior queen and her invading Connacht horde. A lad who has sworn to protect his homeland like a guard dog: the hero Cúchulainn. He’s only a beardless youth against an army of men, but when he twists into his war-form, Cúchulainn is the fiercest fighter in Ireland.
This is Irish legend as you haven’t read it before.
"This gutsy, vivid, gruesomely humorous retelling of the seminal Irish myth is perfectly judged for folklore addicts" – The Guardian
"A welcome rival to the widely available versions of European tales." – Sara Keating, The Irish Times
"Accessibly written and as full of gore as the battle itself ... it will instigate discussions about war, heroism, myths and legends." – BookTrust
"This is a fantastic story." – BBC Radio 4
"Author Alan Titley, while retelling the saga in fine detail, has also made it more accessible to young and contemporary readers ... The author, with the aid of excellent illustrations by Eoin Coveney, brings to life ancient gods, godesses, druids, legendary warriors, and Cúchulainn's magical spear (ga bolga) in a tale which explores jealousy, friendship, loyalty, and even the futility of war. In an age where a plethora of mythical stories abounds, The Táin is a wonderful reminder of our Irish mythology, told in a style that will engage young readers." – InTouch magazine
"Updating the language while keeping the story true to its time is a tricky tightrope but it's beautifully managed here, and the many illustrations by Eoin Coveney are rich and atmospheric." – Meath Chronicle
"Alan's writing is clear and easy to follow, and Eoin's illustrations are a marvel. They're just beautiful; I could spend hours examining them for different details. The story is exciting and moves along at the right speed." – Read and Reviewed
"Dive into this ancient Irish tale, retold by a masterful storyteller that will have you on the edge of your seat ... Prepare for a journey filled with intrigue, fierce battles, and a quest for ultimate power.' – Read with a Rescue
Alan Titley is one of Ireland’s most respected writers in both Irish and English. He has won prizes including the Children’s Books Ireland Éilís Dillon Award. The Dirty Dust, his translation of Cré na Cille by Máirtín Ó Cadhain, was published by Yale University Press to international acclaim in 2015. He is the Emeritus Professor of Modern Irish, University College Cork and a member of the Royal Irish Academy.