Reyfad
| Reyfad TOWNLAND | |
| Fermanagh | |
|---|---|
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| Location | |
| Location: | 54°21’57"N, 7°51’40"W |
| Grid reference: | H091463 |
| Data | |
Reyfad is a townland in Fermanagh, in the Barony of Magheraboy, and in the civil parish of Boho.[1]
Tye name of the townland is apparently from the Gaelic Ráth Fada, meaning 'Long fort'. It has previously been recorded as Rayfadd in 1659, Raffada in 1672 and Ráith Fada ('long fort') in 1833.
This high plateau is known for its extensive cave system and Neolithic stones.[2]
The summit of a nearby hill is known as Tullybrack or Reyfad Mountain and rises to 1,306 feet (though it is with the townland of Aghamore, also within the Boho area).[3]
History
Nearby to Tullybrack summit stands a top known as Two Dogs (translating the Gaelic Sliabh Dá Chon meaning "Hill of the Two Hounds"):[4] this was the site of an ancient clan battle, as recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters:
A great number of the men of Breifny were disabled and slain by Muinter-Feodachain, on the hill of Odhra, in Sliabh-da-Chon. They lost no less than forty men, together with Conor, the son of Donnell Mac Sweeny, who had gone on that incursion through folly and youth. Some of the men of Dartry, and others of the people of the Clann-Hugh Maguire, were slain there.
Reyfad Stones
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| Curvilinear art found carved in Reyfad |
The Reyfad Stones are located behind the Sacred Heart Church in Boho (H112462) and are designated as a scheduled monument. There are six stones on the side of a hill, five of which have curvilinear cup and ring markings which date from the Neolithic to the Iron Age, about 5,000 years ago.[5]
The largest stone measures over 10 feet by 6 feet and has megalithic inscriptions all across its surface; this pattern is inscribed deeper on the smaller stones.[6] Similar megalithic art found at Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth is dated circa 3200 BC.[7]
Reyfad cave system
- Main article: Reyfad Caves
Reyfad high plateau is known for its extensive cave system, worming through the hills. Caves and entrances noted include:
- Little Reyfad
- Pollnacrom
- Polltullybrack
- Reyfad Pot
- each of which has been designated a 'provisional Area of Special Scientific Interest'.
Outside links
- Megalithic Portal: The Reyfad Stones
- Reyfad in The Modern Antiquarian
References
- ↑ Boho Heritage Organisation (2009). Boho Heritage: A treasure trove of history and lore. Mallusk, Northern Ireland: Nicholson & Bass. pp. 246. ISBN 978-0-9560607-0-9.
- ↑ Andrew Halpin, Conor Newman (2006). Ireland: an Oxford archaeological guide to sites from earliest times to AD 1600. Oxford University Press. p. 8. ISBN 9780192806710. https://archive.org/details/irelandoxfordarc1600halp.
- ↑ MountainViews.ie: Tullybrack
- ↑ RootsWeb – O'Donovan
- ↑ Andrew Halpin, Conor Newman (2006). Ireland: an Oxford archaeological guide to sites from earliest times to AD 1600. Oxford University Press. p. 8. ISBN 9780192806710. https://archive.org/details/irelandoxfordarc1600halp.
- ↑ "Boho Heritage Sites". Discover Briefne. Archived from the original on 2008-08-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20080807173427/http://www.passport-breifne.com/Attractions/Attractionindetail.cfm/showme/33. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
- ↑ "Newgrange". http://www.knowth.com/index.htm.