The Tailteann Games are back - Hinterland Kells celebrates women in sport

Two thousand years on from the Tailteann Games, County Meath is set become an epicentre of sporting discussion this weekend (1st and 2nd Dec) with the inaugural Hinterland Tailteann festival.  Some of the country’s top sportswomen will be taking part in the event, which celebrates sport and sports writing. 
Among them, motorsport icon Rosemary Smith, the former Dunboyne and Clonee resident, who as a rally driver in the 60s and 70s, competed against her male counterparts and won. She famously beat off all competition in the Tulip Rally in the Netherlands, regularly competed in the Monte Carlo and the Circuit of Ireland and braved the tortuous London Sydney marathon.  Always a lively conversationalist, Rosemary will be talking to Myles Dungan about the publication of Driven, an account of her racing life on Saturday 1st December.
Like Rosemary Smith, Dunboyne-based eventer Sarah Ennis is at the top of her field competing against men and women and in 2018 was part of the team that brought home Ireland’s first ever medal in the World Equestrian Games.  Sarah will be joining Irish rugby international Alison Miller and double All-Ireland winning Dublin footballer Sinead Finnegan as they discuss the struggle for recognition and coverage of women’s sport as part of Sunday’s programme.
The Irish Women’s Hockey Team delighted sports fans across the country this summer as they reached the final of the World Cup.  Midfielder Ali Meeke and assistant coach Colin Stewart will be reliving those glorious days and giving some insight into the magic formula that saw them enter the competition as second last seeds, top their group and finish runners up.
Other notable speakers across the weekend include broadcaster George Hamilton, journalist Paul Kimmage, OCI President Sarah Keane, sports historian Paul Rouse, Meath Chronicle sports correspondent Jimmy Geoghegan and local author Alan Gernon.

It launches in the Bookmarket in Kells on Friday 30th November at 6.30pm, with special guests from Kells Handball Club, who enjoyed success at home and abroad this year. 

Tickets for Hinterland presents Tailteann: A Celebration of sport and sports writing can be purchased at the BOOKMARKet, Kells, Antonia’s Bookstore, Trim or at the Kells theatre on the day.