Taillten

Taillten was a significant ancient site in Ireland, located in what is now County Meath. It is primarily known as the traditional location of the Lughnasadh festival, a major harvest celebration. The festival at Taillten was not merely an agricultural event but also a time for athletic contests, games, and social gatherings. It is believed to have been a custom dating back to pagan times and continued in some form for centuries after the arrival of Christianity.

According to Irish mythology, Taillten was named after Tailltiu, a queen who was said to have died of exhaustion after clearing the plains of Ireland for cultivation. Her burial mound was considered the sacred center of the festival. The games held at Taillten were a prominent feature, often described as being comparable to the Olympic Games of ancient Greece. These contests included feats of strength, skill, and equestrian events.

Beyond the games, Taillten was also a marketplace and a place for important social and political dealings. Marriages were reputedly arranged and formalized during the festival, and disputes were sometimes settled. The site's importance waned over time, and the exact location has been a subject of historical and archaeological debate, though it is generally placed near Teltown in County Meath. Despite the loss of its physical prominence, the legend of Taillten and its associated festival endured in Irish folklore and historical accounts.