Táin Tapestry on display till mid-August
The Táin Tapestry, depicting one of the great tales in Irish mythology, the Táin Bó Cúailnge – the Cattle Raid of Cooley – is on display at the County Buildings in Mullingar till Friday August 12.
The five-piece stitch tapestry ‘Threading the Táin’ was led by Louth artist Sophie Coyle.
A variety of textile techniques were used in the creation of the tapestry, including appliqué, embroidery, quilting and hand dyeing.
Artists from each of five counties involved, including Westmeath, oversaw the work on the individual county panels.
In all, more than 40 volunteers worked on the tapestry. Claire Delabre, from Handmade Designs in Mullingar, led the Westmeath sewers – Bridie Scally, Brigid Mayes, Margaret Cunnane, Trish Riding and Paula Sheridan.
The Westmeath panel is positioned centrally in the overall tapestry.
It depicts the Great Battle that took place between the men of Ireland and the men of Ulster, represented by the clashing forces in the central circle.
Looming from the west is the goddess of war, Nemain, accompanied by a flock of crows.
Directly below the battle scene is Queen Medh, a central figure, passing her gush of blood - Fual Medb.
Above Mebh, to the right is King Concobhar with his magic shield fighting Fergus Mac Roich, an exiled Ulsterman who agreed to fight for Medh.
Cúchulainn, visible on the top right wearing his special spear, is seized with warp-spasm.
At the very top of the panel, the fire on the hill of Uisneach is lit so as to be visible from all around.
One of the great tales in Irish mythology, the Táin Bó Cúailnge tells the tale of Queen Méabh of Connacht and her husband Ailill, who plot to steal the sacred stud bull Donn Cuailnge from Ulster.
The tale traverses counties Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath, Meath and Louth and much of the action is focused on the efforts of Ulster teenage hero Cúchulainn to oppose the warriors of Connacht.
Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, officially launched the exhibition of the combined tapestry in Áras an Chontae, Mullingar on Thursday evening. The tapestries remain on display in County Buildings until August 12.
Threading the Táin was funded by Creative Ireland with support from An Táin Arts Centre in Dundalk, as well as Westmeath County Council and each of the counties featured in the Táin.
More information: ‘The Making of Threading the Táin’ a short film by Seán McMahon features interviews with the artists and volunteers.
The film explores the different techniques used and how the project came together.
August Craft Month
Among the events in August Craft Month, are two that Claire Delabre and Caithriona Devine are involved in.
The first event is today, Saturday July 30, when artist Caithriona Devine conducts a demonstration workshop on the ancient art form of mosaics. Participants will plan and design stepping-stone pieces.
They will be shown how to cut the mosaic glass tiles with a hand held porcelain tile cutter. All tools and materials supplied. Artisan lunch, dessert, nibbles and refreshments included. It takes place at Martinstown, Crookedwood and the cost is €120. See www.augustcraftmonth.org.
There is another event on Sunday August 21 (free). Join Claire Delabre, who coordinated the creation of the Westmeath panel of Threading the Táin, on the Hill of Uisneach for an illustrated discussion on how the piece was made and the story it illustrates. See www.augustcraftmonth.org.
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