The Druids' Cauldron

About the Book

The Druids' Cauldron

An Ardalba Story

By

Máire Welford

In this Ardalba story, four children from Glenelk travel back once more into Queen Maeve's kingdom. Maeve is about to return the Druids' Cauldron to the druids at the Festival of Lúghnasa. She invites the children to be guards of honour on the way. They collect the vessel from Maeve's Great Fort of Rathcruachan to bring it across the land to the Chamber of the Sun.

The cauldron is called An Draoi, an Irish word meaning seer, or prophet. Maeve's cauldron possesses magic power to enable it to answer questions on occasions of ceremony. Along the way to Rathcruachan Brona disappears during a feast, and cannot be found. Roisin, Rory and Aidan are upset; especially when they realise that they can never go back to Glenelk without her. When Maeve asks the cauldron where Brona is, An Draoi tells her that they will see Brona again at Lúghnasa. The three children are never sure that they can believe this promise.

However, as they journey with the cauldron, they observe its power many times, learning more about what Maeve and her people believe it can do. They begin to hope that perhaps they will see Brona again as it promised.

Lúghnasa's celebrations end with ceremonies at which each ruler present questions An Draoi. Maeve asks whether she will capture the Brown Bull of Cooley. The cauldron replies that if she does, disaster will follow throughout the land. A contest ensues between Maeve's druid and Black Lú of the North's druid. Do the children find Brona unharmed? Which druid overcomes the other? And what do the children decide to do then?

On their journey the children learn loyalty and courage. This book gives an engrossing read. Its research into Celtic life of 2000 years ago ensures a satisfying authenticity for children of all ages

About the Author

The Druids' Cauldron

Máire Welford was born in Dublin. She attended Loreto High School Beaufort, St. Luke's College Exeter, and St. Patrick's College Drumcondra, Dublin, qualifying as a teacher, with a Diploma in Special Education. She worked for several years in England and in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, before settling in Mallow, Co. Cork. Many of her articles and short stories were published in Irish and English periodicals, such as Woman's Way, Ireland's Own and the Irish Independent. Her books include The Black Bull of Ardalba (Mercier, 2002), The Fiery Chariot (Mercier, 2003) and Raiders from the Sea (self-published in cooperation with Trafford, 2004).