cruchain

Cruachan, according to the Analysts, was a royal palace, the seat of Medb and Allill's power, a place of inauguration: a sacred place set apart, a major cemetery and the site for an important Aonach. Cruachan was the location of one of the three famous feiseanna of Ireland. This area is the setting for the opening and the conclusion of the epic Tain Bo Cuailgne.

Misgaun Medb : a fallen standing stone 2.78m in length, and Milleen Medb, a circular stone and earth mound 7m in diameter with a fallen limestone block nearby.

Rathnaderbh: a large circular enclosure. Locals believe that this was the site of the terrible battle between Finn Bennach and Donn Cuailgne - the battle of Ireland's finest bulls, when Connacht's warriors watched the combat from afar and the sky was darkened with the sods of earth thrown up by the bull's feet.

Rathfuadach: legend describes this townland as named after Faud, a milesian warrior who was later slain at Sliabh Faud, in Co Armagh. It has also been called the Fort of the Hostages or Rath Fada - a long Rath

The Mucklaghs: the most imposing of the several systems of linear earthworks in the Cruachan complex. Some of these systems may be ancient roadways, others ceremonial. Legend says they were caused by the rootings of a magical boar.

Uaigh na gCat: (Cave of the Cats), Consists of the entrance to a soutterain which leads to an underground fissure. The inner roofstone bears the ogham inscription - Fraich, son of Medb. Spirits in animal or bird form are said to emerge from Uaigh ne gCat to intervene in the affairs of mortals. It is also believed to be associated with Morrigan.

Relig na Ri: is a circular enclosure surrounded by a stoney bank. It was believed that the enclosure was divided into four parts representing the four independent divisions of ancient Ireland. High Kings were thought to be buried here up to the time of Crimthann Ni Nair (74-90 AD). Kings of Connaught were buried here.

Daithi's Mound: a long natural mound with external ditch and has a large standing stone - the Lia Dearg at its centre. This is a monument to Daithi - the last pagan Irish King.

Carnfree: this cairn was the site of the inauguration of the O'Conor Kings. The last inauguration, that of Charles O'Conor Don, took place in 1641. Beside the mound was the inauguration stone with the imprint of two feet. Tain Bo Fraech tells of the heroic betrothal of Fraech and Finnabair, daughter of Medb.

Ancient Avenue. This avenue runs for 430m before becoming obscured by later field boundaries. It is part of five linear earthworks arranged in parallel pairs, to form avenues similar to the "Banqueting Hall of Tara".

Rathmore: this large mound appears to be the focal point around which the other earthworks were grouped. The first tumulus is 4m in height and 88m in diameter.

Grange: Bronze Age tumulus. Completely excavated by archaeologists in 1966, this structure was 20.5m in diameter. It was found to contain burials, pottery vessels, a Bronze dagger and bone pommel..

Carnakitt: One mile SW of Rathcroghan. A tumulus that is said to mark either the grace of Ceat MacMagach, one of Medb's finest warriors who wounded Conor Mac Nessa with a brain ball and was himself killed by the infamous Conall Cearnach, or is the grave of Cairbre Cinn Ceat, a firbolg King.

A small cairn associated with Una Bhan, who is said to have pined for the love of Thomas Laidir Costello, he being a native of Glenballythomas.

Percy French: Clooneyquinn, the birthplace of the famous singer, songwriter, painter and entertainer. The French residence has been demolished for some years.

Tulsk Dominican Abbey: founded in 1448 at the behest of King Fehelm O'Conor. In 1585 Richard Bingham had the east wing fortified, when the abbey was suppressed. Later, between 1606 and1668 it became the prize of alternately James I and Charles II.

Ardakillen Crannogs: Following the drainage work in the last century a number of important artefacts were found in the vicinity of the crannogs, most important of which is the Ardakillen Brooch, this brooch is on display in the National Museum.

Platform earthwork: at Tulsk village east of the Ogulla River abd legendary site of the agreement between Conn of the Hundred Battles and Mogh Nuath which divided Ireland into Conn's half and Mogh's half.

O'Conor Roe Medieval Castle Ruin: probably a tower house - all the analysts date its erection to 1406.

Ogulla Holy Well: SW of Tulsk. Scene of the baptism of the princesses Eithne and Fidelm. Ogulla is roughly contemporary with Baslick - the Basilica founded by Patrick on the site of a Druidic fane which lies west of Tulsk.