Irish Cultural Heritage

This inter-disciplinary seminar will focus on the Emain Macha complex which boasts archaeological sites dating from at least the Bronze Age. The site also became the focus of early medieval literary and mythological works identifying it as the 'capital' of Ulster and the royal headquarters for a warrior aristocracy, led by King Conchobar and his chief hero, Cú Chulainn. His brave deeds feature prominently in the sagas of the Ulster Cycle, and most famously in the medieval story, the Cattle Raid of Cooley (Táin Bó Cúailnge). We will also take in a small site to the west of Emain Macha, The King's Stables.