Hill of Ward
| Hill of Ward | |
| Meath | |
|---|---|
| |
| Summit: | 300 ft 53°37’26"N, 6°53’10"W |
The Hill of Ward (Tlachtga, formerly Tlachtgha in Irish)[1] is a hill in Meath.
Geography
The hill lies between Athboy (to the west) and Ráth Chairn (to the east). During mediæval times it was the site of great festivals, including one at which winter fires were lit at Samhain, the forerunner of the modern Hallowe'en. It is associated with the figure Tlachtga, a druidess in Irish mythology who is said to have given birth to triplets on the hill.
History
The Hill of Ward is the site of an Iron Age earthen ringfort, which was in later times associated with the Kings of Mide of and of Munster. The hill featured in Irish tales of Tlachtga and her father Mug Ruith, who was said to have ridden his flying machine roth rámach over it. In 1168 High King Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair held a massive gathering at the site.
The hill got its name in English from a landowner, Ward, who had been evicted from his land during the invasion of Oliver Cromwell in 1649. The land was given to a Roundhead soldier. The Ward family, whose forebears were landowners of the hill and after whom the hill was named, are living in County Meath today.
Recent archaeological work has been done on the site, confirming that it was used as a ritual site for many years.[2]
References
- ↑ Placenames Database of Ireland
- ↑ Mullally, Erin. 2016. "Samhain Revival".Archaeological Magazine. November/December 2016. Pages 34-37.