Rathcroghan Tours
Rathcroghan (Cruachan), an enigmatic landscape shrouded in myth and legend, an ancient capital strewn with the burials of long forgotten heroes and kings.
Rathcroghan is arguably the best preserved of the ancient royal celtic sites and is situated in the heart of Connacht along the main N5 between Ballinagare village and Tulsk, County Roscommon. The area has long been known as a prehistoric inauguration site and also as a centre for pre Christian and Christian ritual.
Continual habitation over six thousand years from the neolithic period, through the bronze and iron ages and up to the present day has left us with a land that is only now beginning to reveal its story.
It was the starting point and finishing place of the cattle raid of Cooley (Táin Bo Cuailnge), home to the warrior Queen Medb and the burial place of king Daithi the last pagan king of Ireland.
There are over 60 registered monuments and hundreds more visible throughout this glacial landscape such as Relig na Ri (burial place of the kings), Rathmore, Rathbeag, Oweynagat (entrance to the otherworld) and the mysteriously placed stone known as Misgaun Medb.
Visitors can also see Ráth na dTarbh (the fort of the bulls) and Ogulla holy well where Saint Patrick baptised the daughters of King Laoghaire.
Close by are Carnfree, the inauguration site for the O’Conor dynasty and the multi ringed fort of Rathra.
 Relig na Ri, burial place of the kings. Photo by Gerry Bracken |
Due to the expansive nature of Rathcroghan and the fact that so much folklore, legend and archaeological fact has been woven into the fabric of the landscape it is advisable to book a tour with Mike Croghan.
Mike is from the last Croghan family still living on Rathcroghan. He is an experienced tour guide and archaeologist with an in depth knowledge of the history, archaeology, mythology and spirituality of the area. Mike currently heads the Rathkineely Archaeological Survey Project, funded by the Heritage Council and Roscommon County Council. All tours are tailored to suit the individual or party, please contact Mike for details. |
Thank you to the landowners of Rathcroghan for allowing Rathcroghan Tours access to the sites.
