Posted by Murrisk on May 19, 2001 at 01:38:09:
In Irish mythology/ancient history Queen Tailtiu was the foster mother of Lug (for whom Lugnasa is named),and she lived at present day Telltown in Co. Meath. She and her people are said to have cleared a great plain at Telltown (the forest of Coill Cuan) and she is buried on this plain. Funeral games were held every year in her memory – the Aonach Tailteann. The Aonach Tailteann continued into the 1770’s when marriages were a special part of the celebrations. Her memory lives on today in the Rás Tailteann which started in 1950, and was named after Tailtiu and/or the fair. In the early 1980’s (?) the name of the race changed to the FBD Milk Rás. This year the race will take place from May 20-27.