The first function took between one and three days depending on the importance of the deceased. The ancient Aonach had three functions: honoring the dead, proclaiming laws, and funeral games and festivities to entertain. The games were held until 1169-1171 AD when they died out after the Norman invasion. The games were known to have been held between the 6th and 9th centuries AD. Promotional literature for the Gaelic Athletic Association revival of the games in 1924 claimed a later date of their foundation in 632 BC. Modern folklore claims that the Tailteann Games started around 1600 BC, with some sources claiming as far back as 1829 BC. ![]() The event was held during the last fortnight of July and culminated with the celebration of Lughnasadh, or Lammas Eve (1 August). ![]() Lugh buried Tailtiu underneath a mound in an area that took her name and was later called Tailteann in County Meath. The games were founded, according to the Book of Invasions, by Lugh Lámhfhada, the Ollamh Érenn (master craftsman or doctor of the sciences), as a mourning ceremony for the death of his foster-mother Tailtiu. There is a complex of ancient earthworks dating to the Iron Age in the area of Teltown where the festival was historically known to be celebrated off and on from medieval times into the modern era. The Tailteann Games, Tailtin Fair, Áenach Tailteann, Aonach Tailteann, Assembly of Talti, Fair of Taltiu or Festival of Taltii were funeral games associated with the semi-legendary history of Pre-Christian Ireland. ![]() For the 1920s revival, see Tailteann Games (Irish Free State). This article is about the pre-modern festival.
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