Who shot Queen Medb? Ancient Irish tales come to The Dock Leitrim
Rathcroghan storyteller Mike McCarthy will bring the Táin and the legends of Cruachán Aí to Carrick-on-Shannon this October.
Queen Medb’s cattle raid to Ulster will take centre stage at The Dock in Carrick-on-Shannon on Thursday, October 29, when storyteller Mike McCarthy presents Who Shot Queen Medb?
The one-hour show draws on some of Ireland’s oldest tales, introducing audiences to the Connacht queen, the boy hero Cúchulainn and the warrior Fráoch. It will also venture into the Otherworld, where the vengeful Macha and the battle goddess Mórrígán feature in stories linked to Oweynagat, the Cave of Cruachán, reputed to be Ireland’s “Gate to Hell”.
McCarthy has spent more than a decade working as a tour guide, research assistant and deputy manager at Rathcroghan Visitor Centre in County Roscommon. He has told Queen Medb’s story at festivals, in lecture theatres and on the ancient sites associated with her.
Those storytelling appearances led him to develop a full evening show, first presented at Roscommon Arts Centre in August 2025. Following a positive response, he is bringing the tales to audiences further afield.
McCarthy has written extensively about Rathcroghan and Queen Medb and co-authored The Rathcroghan Archaeological Trail and Rathcroghan — The Guidebook.
Who Shot Queen Medb? begins at 8pm on October 29. Tickets cost €12, including booking fee, and are available through The Dock.