TARA — Fidchell: Rediscovering an Ancient Celtic Game of Strategy - An ancient game, a modern experience.

Across the Celtic world, board games were part of a rich tradition of storytelling, competition and intellectual play. One of these games was Fidchell, a name that appears throughout early Irish literature and mythology. With  TARA — Fidchell, I wanted to bring that tradition into the digital world by creating a game that connects the deep past with modern technology.

Fidchell is an ancient Irish board game, frequently mentioned in medieval Irish stories. Its name is commonly interpreted as meaning wood sense or wood intelligence, reflecting its association with strategic thought and skill. The game appears in tales involving kings, warriors and supernatural figures. In Irish mythology, it is associated with characters such as Lugh, the celebrated figure connected with skill, creativity and mastery of the arts. This app is dedicated to him. 

Although Fidchell was clearly important in early Irish culture, its original rules have not survived in a complete, universally agreed form. Modern versions are therefore reconstructions and interpretations rather than exact reproductions of a single documented ancient game. TARA — Fidchell is my own interpretation of this tradition, inspired by the strategic possibilities of the game and the cultural world from which it emerged.

A game of strategy

TARA — Fidchell invites players to think ahead, anticipate their opponent's movements and consider the consequences of each decision. Rather than relying on fast reactions, the experience centres on observation, planning and strategic play. Players can explore different difficulty levels, challenge a computer opponent or enjoy a two-player game. Success comes through recognising patterns, protecting positions and responding thoughtfully as the game develops.

The Hill of Tara and the world of Irish mythology

The name TARA connects the game with the Hill of Tara in County Meath, Ireland — a place deeply associated with Ireland's ancient kingship, mythology and cultural imagination. Tara occupies a powerful position in Irish storytelling. It is a landscape where history, mythology, identity and memory intersect. For me, this connection is central to the project. I am interested in the ways ancient stories can continue to inspire new forms of creativity. Digital technology offers an opportunity to engage with the mythological past, reinterpret it and invite others into that exploration.

Bringing an old idea into a new medium

Developing Fidchell as an app has involved translating an ancient cultural reference into an accessible digital experience. The challenge was to develop an experience that feels considered, intuitive and connected to its inspiration while remaining enjoyable for contemporary players. The result combines traditional strategic thinking with the convenience of digital play.  Players can return to the board, try different strategies and gradually develop their understanding of the game. 

A continuing conversation with the past

What interests me most about Fidchell is its continuity. We may not know precisely how people played the original game centuries ago, but we know that games mattered. They created opportunities for competition, concentration, connection and shared experience. TARA — Fidchell is a small contribution to that continuing tradition: an invitation to explore strategy, enjoy thoughtful play and encounter an aspect of Ireland's cultural imagination through a contemporary medium.

The ancient game inspires the experience. The next move belongs to you.

Click the link for app store --> TARA - Fidchell

TARA — Fidchell is an independently developed digital strategy game inspired by ancient Irish gaming traditions and the mythology of Tara.