| Rath Cruachan - Rathcroghan - Rath |
I didn't realise that I was going to drive past this. The road must have moved since the OS was drawn up, so it was a pleasant surprise. Rath Crauchan or Rath Mor is reputed to be the inaugoration place of the kings of Connaught and is the centre of a huge 'citadel' covering 2 square miles.
The only real interest here, though, lies in its history. To be able to stand in the same place as the ancient kings is quite special, knowing that great things (many probably bad) were put in motion here.
The rath, like all raths, is just a banked mound but of considerable height at 3m tall. It is at least 35m in diameter. There is so much in the area related to this site that a more dedicated visit is needed to see the ancient roads, barrows and the standing stone that is supposed to mark the burial place of the last king of Ireland.
A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments
Newtown Hill (Co. Dublin) | Athgreany (Co. Wicklow) | Highfield (Co. Antrim) |
Mullagh (Co. Meath) | Killcullen South (Co. Cork) | Rath Dubh (Co. Meath) |