Panel 12 of the Boyne Tapestry. Journey of the River Boyne in Threads by Threads of Lore

Journey of the River Boyne in Threads

Panel 12 of the Boyne Tapestry brings together a remarkable collection of stories inspired by the mythology, history and heritage of the Boyne Valley. From the legendary exploits of Cú Chulainn and Queen Medb to Viking invasions, ancient craftsmanship and enduring folklore, each embroidered motif represents a chapter in the rich story of Ireland’s past. Together, these images weave a tapestry of myth and memory, celebrating the people, places and traditions that have shaped the Boyne Valley over thousands of years. Explore each story below to discover the meaning behind the symbols featured within this remarkable panel.

Currently Panel 12 is on display in Dunshaughlin library, County Meath, Ireland.

© All artwork, images and drawings used in the production of this tapestry or other Threads of Lore projects may not be reproduced in print or other media without the permission of Threads of Lore.

1. Moon and Sun

Moon and Sun: The ever-changing moon and sun was an object of superstition and mystery in ancient Ireland. The old Celtic Druids arranged their calendar by it.

Needlework by Carol Commons

2. The Cattle raid of Cooley

The Cattle raid of Cooley: Táin Bó Cúailnge, commonly known as the Táin or less commonly as the cattle raid of Cooley, tells of a war against Ulster by Queen Medbh of Connacht and her husband King Ailill, who intended to steal and stud bull Donna Cúailinge.

Needlework by Evelyn Gosker

3. Invasion of the Vikings

Invasion of the Vikings: The word Viking comes from vikingr, meaning searover or pirate. They instilled terror when they invaded and attacked Irish settlements and plundered monasteries for their wealth. The Irish chieftain Mael Seachnaill routed the Vikings at Skreen, killing over 700 warriors. Many round towers were built in defence at this time.

Needlework by Carol Dempsey

4. Cadaver Stone

Cadaver Stone: Found in the mud plains of the river Boyne estuary, it is one of the earliest representations of cadaver figured in Irish medieval sculpture.

Needlework by Susan Horgan

5. The Maiden Tower and Finger

The Maiden Tower and Finger: Built in the late 16th century, the tower was a beacon to ships sailing up the Boyne estuary. A young lady in love with a sailor kept vigil at the top of the tower, awaiting his homecoming from war. White sails on his ship would signal his safe return, but when she saw black sails instead, she knew he had been killed and so threw herself from the top of the tower to be with her lover in death. The right high obelisk was erected in her memory and was called the Lady’s Finger as it never received a ring.

Needlework by Siobhán Conlon

6. Tara Brooch

Tara Brooch: Celtic metalwork discovered on the beach at Bettystown in 1850 by a peasant woman.

Needlework by Anne Bradley

7. Rockabill and sea swirls

Rockabill and sea swirls: Queen Bonn’s pet dog Dabilla was swept down the river after falling into the well at the river’s source and was turned into stone. The “bill” in Rockabill, Skerries, represents the dog, and from a certain viewpoint, the rock takes on the shape of a hound. Sea swirls represent the depth of the Irish Sea.

Needlework by Anne Mc Keever

8. The Milky-Way

The Milky-Way: In Irish mythology, the foremost name of the Milky-way was Bealach na Bó Finne or ‘Way of the White Cow’. It was regarded as the heavenly reflection of the sacred river Boyne.

Needlework by Carol Crosbie

9. The Raven

The Raven: the goddess of war and fertility, the Morrigan took many shapes and guises. When Cú Chulainn was mortally wounded, he tied himself to a rock so he could die standing up facing the enemy. He remained there for three days until the Morrigan, taking the shape of a Raven, perched on his shoulder indicating his passing.

Needlework by Colette Durcan

10. The Hills of Cooley

The hills of Cooley: The scene of the great battle between Queen Medbh and Cú Chulainn. These mountains divide the north of Ireland from the South.

Needlework by Sheila Gormley

11. Cú Chulainn

Cú Chulainn: Setanta hurled a sliotar down the attacking wolfhound’s throat killing it. Distraught, he offered to take the place of the dead animal and became known as Cú Chulainn, the hound of Culainn.

Needlework by Carol Dempsey and Anne Mckeever

12. The Plundered House

The Plundered House: Historians and archaeologists conclude that for centuries the Irish and other Celtic people constructed their homes from a combination of woven saplings and hardened daub this type of construction called ‘clay and wattle’ or ‘wattle and daub’ continued here and in the UK while into the time of Shakespeare around the 1500s.

Needlework by Fiona Mc Mahon

13. Viking Longboat

Viking Longboat: The Vikings used longboats in their reign of terror on Irish settlements.

Needlework by Barbara Kavanagh

14. Ship with Black Sails

Ship with Black Sails: The ship approaching the Boyne estuary with black sails indicating to the ill-fated young lady on the Maiden Tower that her sailor love had been lost in battle.

Needlework by Carol Dempsey

15. Sea Serpents

Sea Serpents: Sea serpents and sea dragons appear in stories from antiquity and are usually depicted creating havoc for mariners.

Needlework by Máire White

16. The Salmon of Knowledge

The Salmon of Knowledge: An Bráidán Feasa, the Salmon of Knowledge, swam in the Well of Wisdom at the source of the Boyne, and features on every panel in our tapestry to mark the journey of the salmon every year to the sea.

Needlework by Angela Reilly

If you like to read some of these heritage stories in more detail, please click here.