Concerning Cows...

In old times there arose one day a maiden from the sea, a beautiful Berooch, or mermaid, and all the people on the Western Coast of Eirè gathered 'round her and wondered at her beauty. And the great chief of the land carried her home to his house, where she was treated like a queen.
She was very gentle and wise, and after some time she acquired the language, and could talk to the people quite well in their own Irish tongue, to their great delight and wonder. Then she informed them that she had been sent to their country by a great spirit, to announce the arrival in Ireland of the three sacred cows--Bo-Finn, Bo-Ruadh, and Bo-Dhu--the white, the red, and the black cows, who were destined to fill the land with the most splendid cattle, so that the people should never know want while the world lasted.

This was such good news that the people in their delight carried the sea-maiden from house to house in procession, in order that she might tell it herself to every one; and they crowned her with flowers, while the musicians went before her, singing to their harps.

After dwelling with them a little longer she asked to be taken back to the sea, for she had grown sad at being away so long from her own kindred. So, on May Eve, a great crowd accompanied her down to the strand, where she took leave of them, telling them that on that day of the next year they should all assemble at the same place to await the arrival of the three cows. Then she plunged into the sea and was seen no more.

On that day all the people of Ireland assembled on the shore to watch, as they had been directed by the beautiful sea-maiden, and all the high cliffs and all the rocks were covered with anxious spectators from the early dawn. Nor did they wait in vain. Exactly at noon the waves were stirred with a mighty commotion, and three cows rose up from the sea--a white, a red, and a black--all beautiful to behold, with sleek skins, large soft eyes, and curved horns, white as ivory. They stood upon the shore for a while, looking around them. Then each one went in a different direction, by three roads; the black went south, the red went north, and the milk-white heifer--the Bo-Finn--crossed the plain of Ireland to the very centre, where stood the king's palace. And every place she passed was named after her, and every well she drank at was called Lough-na-Bo, or Tober-Bo-Finn (the well of the white cow), so her memory remains to this day.

In process of time the white heifer gave birth to twins, a male and female calf, and from them descended a great race, still existing in Ireland; after which the white cow disappeared into a great cave by the sea, the entrance to which no man knows. And there she remains, and will remain, in an enchanted sleep, until the true king of Eirè, the lord of Ireland, shall come to waken her; but the lake near the cave is still known as Lough-na-Bo-banna (the lake of the snow-white cow).

The path of the white cow across Ireland is marked by small crude stone monuments, still existing. They show the exact spot where she rested each night and had her bed, and the adjoining lands have names connected with the tradition--such as, "The plain of the Fenian cows;" "The hill of worship;" "The pool of the spotted ox," called after the Ox because he always waited to drink until the white cow came, for they were much attached to each other.

The plain of the death of Bo-banna (the white Cow), where she gave the roar that shook all Ireland is called "the plain of lamentation." It never was tilled, and never will be tilled. The people hold it as a sacred spot, and until recently it was the custom to have dances there every Sunday.

Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, or Brian Boru

As I entered the world of the High Kings, the first person who greeted me (other than the fairies who brought me to this magical place) was Brian Boru. Now, Brian was not the first nor the last High King of Ireland, but he greeted me with a grin. He boasted with a mighty grin, “I was chosen to greet you since I am the most remembered and famed King of Ireland.”

18th Century engraving of Brian Boru, High King of Ireland

King Brian

Brian is indeed celebrated. He was granted a lasting fame and enduring due to two reasons. The first is that he was one of the first to conquer all of Ireland. Throughout history, the Kings were divided into the various parts of Ireland, but a piece of Ireland was not enough for Brian. He also was boasted as one of the Kings who was able to drive the Vikings from Ireland for his reign (mostly at least). He is a proud man. He even boasts being remembered by our popular culture with the likes of author Morgan Llewelyn and he was even mentioned by a character on Star Trek. Or so he told me with a grin! I guess everyone loves Star Trek!!

King Brian wanted to put me at ease, recognizing that I am a cow and might be scared amongst the people of Ireland. So, he escorted me into his castle and sat me down and told me of an Irish legend. The legend was of the Cow’s entrance into Ireland and the importance of cows in the life of the Irish. But, alas, that will have to wait until tomorrow!!! :)

Teamhair na Rí - The Hill of Tara

The first place that I was shown on my journey was the Hill of Tara.  This place was one of the most magical places in all of Ireland.  It is also known as the Hill of the Kings.  There are several forts that are in this area, two of which surround Lia Fáil or the Stone of Destiny.  It was at this stone that the High Kings were crowned.  The King would have to face a number of challenges in order to be crowned.  At the end of these trials he would have to touch the Stone of Destiny.  When he was successful, the Stone would let out three roars that were to be heard throughout Ireland, to let the people know a new King was crowned.  There was even a temple built underneath this Hill.  142 Kings are known to have reigned in this site.  Much of the monuments still stand today.  The sights were beautiful and filled me with wonder and magic.
                                                        

Teamhair na Rí

Lia Fáil

Sorry, my friends, for being away for so long....

Hello my friends, I am sorry that I have been away for so long, but I have been on a great adventure.  You see, when the High Kings of Ireland learned that we were celebrating them, they created a special fairy hole for me to travel through and visit them.

They wish for me to share their stories as we get closer to celebrating them at Irish Fest.  I was filled with magic, stories, and wonder.  All of which I will share with you over the next month. 

 However, the first important news that I have to share is that for the weekend of Irish Fest, the Kings have granted my friends and me the power to make all who are present a part of the Irish kingdoms.  You are to become kings, queens, princesses, fairies, or whatever you want for that weekend.  That’s right, royalty one and all!

As I have become their special friend, the Kings have granted that our new friend, our nameless cow for this Irish Fest is to be the Royal Cow!  I hope we can get a fitting name for the Royal Cow of Kansas City.

A new phrase that I learned in my travels is “Is e ‘n t-ionnsachadh òg an t-ionnsachadh bòidheach.” Or, the learning in youth is pretty learning. I shall help us all learn in the upcoming weeks.  Stay tuned….