In 1932 a board was found in a crannog (lake dwelling) in Ballinderry, Ireland. It contained a 7 X 7 grid of holes, and was decorated with designs used in the 10th century. Many scholars believed it to be a Fidchell or "Brandubh" game mentioned in early Irish legends, and related to Scandinavian Tafl games. These were the games of choice in Northern Europe prior to the introduction of Chess. The defenders win if the king escapes to the edge of the board, and the attackers win by surrounding the king. The set also includes a simulated sheep knucklebone for use as a die for a Welsh variation. The knotwork decoration is our own interpretation of the carving on the Ballinderry Game Board. The game board is machine washable and comes with a drawstring carrying bag. The color of the game pieces may vary from the photos.