This Night is My Departing Night for Here No Longer May I Stay: The Celtic South

The heroic age versus the machine, or, ethnogenesis

(This is Part II of a three-part series on the peoples — in this case, the Celts — who settled the South. Part I is here. Part III will look specifically at the Irish. After that: the “structure of Southern society,” which is vastly different from what you may have been taught.)

At the summit of ancient Irish literature stands Táin Bó Cúailnge, or The Cattle Raid of Cooley. It is the story of Queen Medh of Connacht and Cúchulainn, mightiest of the Knights of the Red Branch sworn to the service of King Conchobar of Ulster, and the war they fought over the Donn Cúailange, the legendary Brown Bull of Cooley.

The story begins in the bedroom of Queen Mebd and King Ailill, who rule the western kingdom. They’re engaged in “pillow talk,” rather arguing about money. Or more specifically, which of them is the wealthiest? Queen Mebd, rightfully proud that she is the most noble and celebrated daughter of the High King of Ireland, insists her treasury is richer than the King’s. King Ailill dismis…