hills historical ireland

Half-way between Navan and Kells (N3) rises the Hill of Tailte, where the famous annual Tailtean Games and Fair of ancient Ireland were held. Established by King Lugh Lamhfhada (Lugh Long-hand) and named in honour of his step-mother, Tailte (daughter of the King of Spain and wife of Eochaidh, last of the Kings of Firbolgs), the Tailteann celebrations were amongst the great ceremonial occasions of pagan Ireland. Held in ceremonial fashion for the last time in 1168 under Roderick O'Connor, the las...

Knockmany Hill, 2 miles north west of Augher, si topped by a large passage grave with stones incised with swirling patterns. The spiral motives are similar to those at Newgrange in County Meath. A cairn was built over the top in 1959 to protect the Knockmany grave, which appears above ground in old photographs. To get inside the tomb, ask at the ranger's house at the forest entrance, though there is a general view of the stones through an iron grid. The mythological mother goddess Aine, loved by...

Approximately 6.43 kms east of Tara lies Skreen, called after the shrine of St. Columcille's relics which were brought to an early Christian monastery here in 875. The holy well is dedicated to the Saint. the present remains of a church and tower date from the 15th century and were ruined in Elizabethan times. The hill provides a fine vantage point to view the Hill of Tara. The word 'Skreen' or 'Skryne' is the equivalent of the English word 'shrine'....

Cairn hill is the famous Sliabh Cairbe in Annaly, Barony of Granard. It is said that Farbuide Fer Benn who revenged the killing of his mother by Medbh is buried there. The hill lies north of Longford Town, about half way between Drumlish and Ballinalee. It is about 300 metres above sea leave, and commands a panoramic view from its summit. A booster station with a 100 metres high mast for television transmission by Radio Telefis Eireann is now situated on top of the hill....

The chief crowning place of the O'Neills, from the early twelfth to the seventeeth century was 2 miles outside Cookstown at Tullaghoge, headquarters of the O'Hagans, chief justices of Tyrone. There is a fine view of the old kingdom of Tyrone from the top of this tree ringed hill. The circular graveyard nearby, with a wall round it, was the O'Hagan burial place.

During the ceremony the King elect sat on a stone inaugration chair, new sandals were placed on his feet, the assembled chiefs c...

Uisneagh Hill is about 11 miles from Mullingar on the R390. On this hill can be found the Catstone or "Ail Na Mearainn", said to be the meeting point of the five ancient provinces of Ireland. This is the hill on which King Tuathal Teachmar erected his royal palace in the second century. An imposing hill, 180 metres high, "Uisneagh" provides a magnificent view of the midlands. It was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland for 200 years prior to the coming of St. Patrick and the geat paga...

Knockninny Hill is a striking feature on the upper lake. The hill is a well known beauty spot and although only 600ft high, there is a fine view of the islands from the top (3 miles north of Derrylin)...

Gurtagarry Hill (461m) and Knockanora(431m), with its conical summit capped by remains of a cairn, lie left of the Bit....

Approximately 5 miles (8 kms) north of the entrance gates to Slane Castle on the Carrickmacross road, near Lobinstown, this hill dominates the surrounding countryside. The site has many prehistoric remains, among them the outline of houses associated with 4th-century neolithic farmers. There are at least thirty other prehistoric monuments including ring forts in the district (the most prominent called the 'Cup and Saucer' can be seen on an adjoining hill). The spectacular views may explain the p...

About 2 miles (3 km) north of Enniskerry, the main road to Dublin passes through the Scalp - a spectacular rocky defile rising steeply on either side of the road, with huge granite boulders strewn about in wild confusion. It is a good example of a 'dry gap' formed at the end of the Ice Age when streams from glaciers cut deep drainage channels....