Sword of the Gael is based on the oldest epic poem in Western European literature, the Irish saga Tain Bó Cualigne, the “Cattle-Raid of Cooley.”  The most ancient extant written copy of the Tain dates back to the 6th century – 200 years before Beowulf.  And the oral tradition extends at least five centuries earlier than that.  While Christ walked the shores of Galilee, Irish bards told the tale of brave Cú Cullan, his fair love Emer, his great friend Ferdiad, ruthless Queen Maeve, the magical druid Cathvad, the mysterious gods of the Otherworld – and the awesome, pitiless War for Ireland.

Among the Irish, Cú Cullan is the greatest of heroes – the Celtic equivalent of Hercules, Achilles, Gilgamesh or Lancelot.  Indeed, the Tain is known among many scholars as the “Irish Iliad.”  Cú Cullan’s characteristic transformation from beautiful young man to monstrous warrior – his terrifying “Battle Frenzy” – is the original template for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk, and numerous other modern imitators.

Unlike many such epic tales, which seem to lose some of their earthy vividness as subsequent generations water them down, Sword fully embraces the adult mythology of the Tain – with its frank sexuality, unflinchingly graphic violence, and unsurpassed lyrical poetry.

 

Book One – The Rise of Cú Cullan – wherein the origin of the great hero is told;

Book Two – The Great Cattle-Raid – wherein the combined armies of Ireland invade Ulster;

Book Three – Battle Frenzy – wherein Cú Cullan singlehandedly defends his country against the invaders, in a series of spectacular battles;

Book Four – The War for Ireland – wherein sorcerers and magicians hold sway over warriors, and the great hero achieves immortal fame.