Pyrrhic Victory

In the Táın, Queen Medb invades Ulster (opposed single-handedly by Cú Chulaınn) to take the Brown Bull (Donn Cuaılnge) in order that her wealth matches that of her husband, Aılıll, who has a prize bull called Fınnbhennach (the White-Horned). When she returns with the bull, the two bulls fight and kill each other. (So, … mission accomplished?)

The mosaic shown above is a detail from Desmond Kinney’s 1974 mosaic mural off Nassau Street in Dublin. For more images and explanation, see Richard Marsh.

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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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