The Great Irish Battle Epic

A new children’s translation of Ireland’s great epic legend featuring the hero Cúchulainn and the warrior Queen Maeve

This is Irish myth as you haven’t read it before.

Queen Maeve’s army is marching north to steal the great brown bull, the pride of Ulster. But one man stands in their way. Cúchulainn, the Hound of Ulster, vowed in boyhood to protect his homeland – even if it means taking on an invading army himself.

One by one Maeve’s warriors challenge the hero, and one by one they fall. Can Cúchulainn hold out until reinforcements arrive – and how will he fare against the one man in Ireland he doesn’t want to fight?

Ireland’s most important myth is retold in English for children by the great scholar of Old Ireland, Alan Titley. Titley goes back to the source material and his translation sparkles with the wit and humour, as well as the thrill and battle, of the ancient tale. Illustrations by comic artist Eoin Coveney lend a modern feel.

"This gutsy, vivid, gruesomely humorous retelling of the seminal Irish myth is perfectly judged for folklore addicts"
  – The Guardian

"A welcome rival to the widely available versions of European tales."  –  Sara Keating, The Irish Times

"Accessibly written and as full of gore as the battle itself ... it will instigate discussions about war, heroism, myths and legends."  –BookTrust

"This is a fantastic story." – BBC Radio 4

"Author Alan Titley, while retelling the saga in fine detail, has also made it more accessible to young and contemporary readers ... The author, with the aid of excellent illustrations by Eoin Coveney, brings to life ancient gods, godesses, druids, legendary warriors, and Cúchulainn's magical spear (ga bolga) in a tale which explores jealousy, friendship, loyalty, and even the futility of war. In an age where a plethora of mythical stories abounds, The Táin is a wonderful reminder of our Irish mythology, told in a style that will engage young readers." –  InTouch magazine

"Updating the language while keeping the story true to its time is a tricky tightrope but it's beautifully managed here, and the many illustrations by Eoin Coveney are rich and atmospheric." – Meath Chronicle

"Alan's writing is clear and easy to follow, and Eoin's illustrations are a marvel. They're just beautiful; I could spend hours examining them for different details. The story is exciting and moves along at the right speed." – Read and Reviewed

"Dive into this ancient Irish tale, retold by a masterful storyteller that will have you on the edge of your seat ... Prepare for a journey filled with intrigue, fierce battles, and a quest for ultimate power.'  – Read with a Rescue

Alan Titley is one of Ireland’s most respected writers for children and adults, in both Irish and English. He has won prizes including the Children’s Books Ireland Éilís Dillon Award. The Dirty Dust, his translation of Cré na Cille by Máirtín Ó Cadhain, was published by Yale University Press to international acclaim in 2015. He writes a weekly column on current and cultural affairs for The Irish Times. He is an Emeritus Professor of Modern Irish, University College Cork, and a member of the Royal Irish Academy.

About the Illustrator
 

Eoin Coveney is an Irish illustrator with an aesthetic shaped by European comics, horror films and early twentieth century illustration. In the 1990s, he worked with Will Eisner (renowned US comic artist, writer and creator of The Spirit).

His clients include Abrams Books, The Royal Air Force, FHM, Attitude magazine, Ray-Ban, 2000AD, Collins books, FUNKO,  The Westminster Collection Coins, The Independent, Metro London, Forrest -Pruzan Games, RiskNet, Pearson publishing, Gill Books, The O’Brien Press, The Irish Independent, The Irish Times and The Little Museum of Dublin.