The Táin Bó Cúailnge begins in Cruachan with the “Pillow Talk of Medb and Ailill,” where an argument over their wealth reveals that Ailill possesses a prized white-horned bull, An Finnbhennach, unmatched by Medb. Determined to equal her husband, Medb learns of the Brown Bull of Cooley, owned by Dáire mac Fiachna in Ulster. She offers riches—and even herself—to borrow the bull, but Dáire withdraws his agreement after overhearing her messengers boast that Medb would take it by force. Enraged, Medb raises an army to launch the legendary Cattle Raid of Cooley, aiming to bring the bull to Rathcroghan.
