On this episode of Mind Maintenance Dervilla Cullotty talks to Anthony Brogan, a member of the voluntary steering committee set up to highlight and create an awareness of the Táin Bó Fliodhaise – The Cattle Raid of Mayo.
They have organised festivals, an art exhibition and created links with the community of Argyll in Scotland where the story was written by Medieval scribes in the Glenmasan Manuscript. They published the hardback book The History and Heritage of The Táin Bó Fliodhaise in 2018.
On Saturday 19th July 2025 they celebrated the official launch of the ‘Táin Bó Fliodhaise – Cattle Raid of Mayo’ Heritage Trail and Guidebook at Enniscoe House, Castlehill, Crossmolina.
Táin Bó Fliodhaise – The Cattle Raid of Mayo, an adventurous Celtic mythology saga, is a prequel to the great Irish saga Táin Bó Cuailnge. It describes how a cattle raid brought Queen Meadhbh and her army from Ráth Chruacháin in County Roscommon on a journey through Mayo, to reach their final destination at Rath Muireagáin near Glencastle in Erris. The purpose of the raid was to steal away the prized Maol or hummel cow, which was reputed to supply enough milk daily for three hundred men, their wives and children, as well as the herds and wealth of the resident Gamhanraidh.
The Heritage trail consists of 14 site specific information signs located at key sites in Mayo. The launch includes the unveiling of one of the information signs in the beautiful grounds of Enniscoe estate, giving you an opportunity to see the resident maol cattle herd, followed by refreshments in Enniscoe House - the last Great House of North Mayo.
This programme is brought to you by Mc Andrews Drapers Belmullet
