A storytelling event recounting of the Táin Bó Cuailnge and Cruachán Aí by Mike McCarthy.
Leave Netflix aside and journey back in time to the prehistoric Iron Age to share in an evening of storytelling, recounting some of the oldest tales in Ireland.
Hear firsthand about the origins of Queen Medb and her great cattle raid to Ulster, which features a host of legendary characters — the boy hero Cúchulainn, the Connacht warrior Fráoch, and immortals of the Otherworld including the vengeful Macha and the formidable battle goddess, Mórrígán, who dwells in Oweynagat — the Cave of Cruachán — Ireland’s reputed ‘Gate to Hell’.
The genesis for this event came about from a variety of storytelling events, particularly pertaining to Queen Medb, provided at various events and festivals in Co. Roscommon over the years. This was the inspiration to expand the concept into a full evening of storytelling, culminating in the delivery of Who Shot Queen Medb?, which took place in the Roscommon Arts Centre in August 2025. The positive feedback obtained from this event was the inspiration to continue the project and bring it to a wider audience, sharing these wonderful tales throughout the country.
Mike McCarthy presenting Who Shot Queen Medb?
Mike McCarthy
Mike McCarthy has worked for over a decade as a Tour Guide, Research Assistant, and Deputy Manager of the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre — the home of Queen Medb herself. He has been telling her story in halls, lecture theatres, and on top of ancient ráthanna for years. He is the author of numerous papers pertaining to Rathcroghan and Queen Medb, and is the co-author of Slí Seandálaíochta Ráth Cruachan — The Rathcroghan Archaeological Trail and Rathcroghan — The Guidebook.