Myths and Legends Trail
Follow in the footsteps of Irish Legends
5Days
Follow in the footsteps of Irish Legends
5Days
Newgrange
Brú na Bóinne was said to have been the permanent residence of Oengus Óg, the Celtic god of love and youth.
It is at Brú that the story ‘The Dream of Oengus’ culminates. After continuously dreaming of a woman named Caer, Oengus goes in search of her for a year. Upon finding her in swan form, he transforms into one himself in order to be with her, and the two fly back to his home at Brú na Bóinne together.
This is also where Oengus brings his foster son, Diarmuid, after he was killed by Fionn Mac Cumhaill, taking his body home to rest at Brú.
Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
According to legend, the Cailleach Bhéara shaped the surrounding landscape of Carrowmore. During the winter she appears as an old woman, and in spring emerges as a young woman. Some claim that the Cailleach and Brigid are one and the same.
Carrowmore is also said to be the burial place of the fallen Fir Bolg warriors who died in the First Battle of Moytura against the Tuatha Dé Danann.
Loughcrew Megalithic Cemetery
Loughcrew is also referred to as the Hills of the Witch – Slieve na Calliagh. Here, a witch formed the cairns by dropping stones from her apron as she jumped from hill to hill, before eventually falling and dying. It is said she is buried where she fell at Patrickstown Hill.
Dún Aonghasa
This impressive stone fort is supposedly named after Aonghas, a leader of the Fir Bolg’s.
Rathcroghan
Rathcroghan was Queen Medb’s seat of power over the kingdom of Connaught. It is here that the fierce Táin Bó Cuailinge began – the battle for the Brown Bull of Cooley – where Cúchulain stands alone against the forces of Queen Medb.
The Oweynagat cave (Cave of the Cats) is an entry point to the Otherworld, and the place where The Morrigan emerged during the Táin.
Roscommon Castle
Roscommon was the central grounds on which the Táin took place, and it is likely the Castle was a key character in the battle.
The King of Ulster, Fergus Mac Róich, who as a tutor to Cúchulain, as well as Medb’s lover, is said to be buried on the shores of Lough Nea, which the Castle overlooks. The lake is also another entry point to the Otherworld.
Queen Medb’s Cairn
The cairn at the summit of Knocknarea marks the burial place of Queen Medb.
It is said that the rounded shape of the cairn is representative of pregnancy, and is a symbol of the life/death cycle.
Hill of Tara / Hill of Slane
Every year, to mark the Festival of Bealtaine, the chief druid would light the first fire on the Hill of Tara. However, Patrick (Saint), upon returning to Ireland as a Bishop, lit the first fire on the Hill of Slane to mark Easter.
The High King of Tara, Laoghaire (who was son of Niall of the Nine Hostages who had enslaved Patrick when he was 16), was furious and demanded the man be brought before him for punishment. It is said that Laoghaire was then converted to Christianity.
The Rock of Cashel
Legend stats that it was at Cashel that Saint Patrick first used the Shamrock as a symbol of Christianity.
It was at Cashel that Angus Mac Natfráich was converted to Christianity by Patrick. Apparently, Patrick accidentally stabbed Angus in the foot during the baptism, but he did not cry out as he assumed it was all part of the ceremony.
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