Slige Midluachra
Slige Midluachra is an ancient route across Ulster and Meath and one of the legendary Five Great Roads of Ireland, or Five Roads of Tara. The Slige Midluachra was the old northern road, sometimes known 'High King's Road'. It ran in ancient times from the Hill of Tara (in Meath) to Dunseverick on the north coast, in County Antrim.
Tara was the seat of the High King of Ireland. The Five Roads of Tara described in the Dindshenchas of Slige Dala, are named Slige Dala, Slige Assail, Slige Midluachra, Slige Cualann, and Slige Mor.
The routes are described in general in the Dindshenchas, but few reference locations are given along each road. Three other ancient roads, referred to as "cow" roads, were found in Lady Gregory's Irish Myths and Legends: she relates the legend of how Manannán mac Lir had three cows (one white, one red, and one black) which created the first three roads in Ireland.
Route
Slige Midluachra began at Tara, crossing the River Boyne at Slane. It is believed that it passed through the Moyry Pass and then around the base of Slieve Fuaid (near modern Newtownhamilton) to Emain Macha, seat of the Kings of Ulster, and thence on to Dunseverick on the north coast of Antrim.
References
| The Five Great Roads of Ireland |
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Slige Dala • Slige Assail • Slige Midluachra • Slige Cualann • Slige Mor |