3. HOW THE CATTLE OF

COOLEY BEGAN

Meabh, the proud queen of Connacht, was very angry. All through the day she and her husband Ailill had counted and compared their riches. All their treasures had been spread on a great table in the palace hall. They were compared and found to be equal. Next their grest flocks of sheep were brought in from the fields and counted. They were compared and found to be. They were equal in size and value. Then their many horses and pigs were compared and were found to be equal also. But Ailill smiles with delight when the herds of cattle were counted. It was found that he owned a wonderfula bull named Finnbheannach -- the White - horned -- and Meabh had none among her cattle to match it. This was the cause of her anger.

She went for her wise messenger, Mac Roth, and told him the sad story. She asked him was there a bull anywhere in Ireland to equal the great Finnbheannach.

"Of course there is." Mac Roth answered, "a bull not only as good, but twice as good. The Black Bull of Cooley in the province of Ulster."

Meabh was joyful when she heard this news. If she could get that bull, even on loan, she would be richer than her husband.

She immediately sent Mac Roth and nine other messangers to Daire to ask for the loan of the Black Bull of Cooley. She promised to give Daire fifty heifers in payment and to return the bull safely at th end of the year.

When Mac Roth and his men reached Cooley, Daire himself came to welcome them. They told him of the rich reward Meabh had offered for the loan of his famous bull. Daire was very pleased at the offer and agreed to send the cull to Connacht. He invited the messengers into his house and a feast was placed before them. While they were eating and drinking they began to talk of Daire's bull. Thinking that they were alone, one of the messengers boasted of the mighty Connacht army. He added that Daire was wise to give the bull willingly. Had he refused, he said that forces of Meabh would attack Ulster and take the animal by force.

At that moment Daire's chief servant came in with meat and drink. He overheard the threat. With anger in his heart he place the food on the table and left hte room. He went straight to Daire and told him what had been said. Immediately Daire ordered the messengers back to Connacht.

"Tell you queen," he shouted, "that is she wants my bull she had better come and take it by force, for she will get it no other way."

The messengers sadly made their way back to Connacht. They told Meabh that at first Daire had agreed to lend the bull, but then changed his mind. Meabh took this refusal as a great indult and immediately sent messengers through the lang to gather all her fighting men. Many warriors answered her call. At the head of her army she set out to attack Ulster and take the bull by force.

This is how the "Tain Bo Cuailgne" began. There followed a terible war between the forces of Ulster and Connacht.