tale-types

The extensive narrative literature preserved in Irish manuscripts is now usually classified into four groups or cycles, the mythological cycle (or cycles of the gods and goddesses), the Ulster cycle, the Fionn (or Ossianic) cycle, and the king or historical cycle. The earlier classification, however, was according to the first word of the title of the story. Togail Bruidne Da Derga was classed among the Togla (Destructions), Táin Bó Cuailnge among the Tána (Cattle Raids), and so on.