the
beginning

...of Meath; Fergal McDonnell, his younger brother, Padraig and their fellow Burgess N.S. classmates followed their guide, as he led them across one of Ireland’s most magical and mystical archaeological landscapes. After reaching their target destination, which was a passage tomb in “The Storied Hills” near Teltown; the guide informed all of how four thousand years previously, a much loved Queen named Tailte was buried in the very spot they now stood.

...the tour guide dramatically told of Queen Tailte’s last request for “Annual Games” to be held in the area where she eternally rested. Her wish was King Lugh’s demand, with "an Aonach Tailteann" i.e. the Tailteann Games soon becoming a national institution. The mission of the Games was threefold, the guide explained:

1) To Promote New Ideas and Causes;

2) To Respect and Honour the Past; and

3) To Provide Entertainment (with Hurling and Storytelling at the forefront of such).

...Padraig and Fergal’s ears pricked up even further when they were to learn that these Games were the actual inspiration for the Olympic Games. Having avidly followed the fortunes of all the Irish Olympians, but in particular fellow Tipperary man, Terry McHugh at the previous year’s Games in manic Seoul, Fergal and Padraig couldn’t believe that something so global had its origins somewhere so local. "Everything begins with an idea ", the guide told them with a warm smile.