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This is said to be the burial place of Amhairghin. First of the Milesians to come to Ireland.
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Taken from the information board in Rathmore
Danu, sometimes referred to as Anu, is the ancient Celtic goddess of fertility, prosperity and comfort, and has representation in other forms across Europe, such as Dennitsa (Russian, Danae (classical Greek) and Dinah (Hebrew), as well as linking her with the role of Earth Mother. Comparision have also been made by a number of scholars between Danu and the Greek goddess Demeter. Many place names thoughout Europe are derived from the name of Dany, examples being the River Danube, the River Donn and Denmark. In Celtic legend, it was thought that the Tuath De Dannann, the ancient Celtic warrior-race, were descended from her and her consort, Bile.
Danu's primary associations are with the processes of the agricultural cycle, as throughout Europe, Britain and Ireland, in particular Munster, she was highly revered by pre-Christain agricultural communitites as the guardian of cattle and health. Farming and land cultivation were of vital importance to those ancient Celtic people providing food and sustenance to see them through the long bleak winter.
During the ancient festival of Beltane (celebrated on 01 May), which heralded he end of the long dark winter, and gave the promise of brighter summer days ahead, fires (known as Bel-fires or Need-Fires) were lit on high ground, and livestock were herded between these fires, tradition has it, to ensure their health and fertility for the coming year. The ashes from the fires were then scattered in the fields, to ensure a bountiful harvest. These rituals would be carried out to "appease" the ancient deities, particularly Dany, the earth Mother.
In Duhallow, Danu is associated with the two hills in its South Western region, known in Irish as Dha Chioch Anann or the Paps of Danu. Agriculture has very strong associations with this region, the fertile Blackwater valley playing a vital and integral part in the lives of the inhabitants from pre-Christain times to the 21st century. Habitation of this region during the pre-Christain era is strongly evident in the many ancient ring-forts and settlements to be found in Duhallow region and many place names beginning with Lios (e.g. Lisnashearshane (near Cullen) - Lios na Seirsean - Fort of the Arches) or Rath (Rathroe (near Derrinagree) - Rath Ruagh - Red Fort). Dromtariffe (Drom Tairbh - Ridge of the Bull) is another example of an agriculturally associated place name in Duhallow, signifying the value placed on cattle in the area then, as now.
A number of Holy Wells are also evident in the Duhallow area. Pattern Days were held to honour the saints associated with each well. The City in Shrone, at the foot of the Paps, known in Irish as Cathair Crobh Dhearg is a prime example. This area was named for a local saint, St. Crobh Dearg, who has been linked by scholars in a triad with St. Laitiaran (Cullen) and St. Gobnait (Ballyvourney). Many scholars believe that sites such as this were originally ancient pagan sites of worship that were subsequently Christainised. In the pre-Christain/Celtic era, a beautiful woman-Goddess Creide (the Celtic version of St. Crobh Dearg, or a derivative of Danu, perhaps?) was associated with the same area and legend has it that she was declared by Fionn MacCumhail to be ".... the greatest flirt in Ireland"
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The North Tipp inventory records that this site is know locally as the burial site of the "Great Dane" and is part of the "Jewell of the Dane" estate.
In many parts of Ireland much of the monuments were attributed to the Danes or Vikings. Even Newgrange in Meath was know as a Danish fort.
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The name Slievenamuck (Mountain of the Pigs) is derived from the legendary slaying of a sow by Fionn Mac Cumhaill. The sow, called Beo, had devastated much of Munster. Fionn had a pair of spears forged locally and killed the sow. He then took the sow's head as a bridal gift to Cruithne the smith's daughter. On the summit of the Ridge are two Megalithic Tombs, styled "Dermot and Grainne's Beds". The legendary pair are said to have rested here in their flight from the angry Fionn.
Taken from Aherlow House Hotel Website
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According to Tipp Libraries the "water that bubbles from it, allegedly, cannot be boiled. St. Berrihert's Day is celebrated locally on the 18th February"
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"Darby's Bed, Galbally
Darby's Bed is located, like most Irish passage tombs on a hilltop site. Duntryleague Hill is the westerly extension of Slievenamuck hill.
This great Megalith is thought to be the grave of Olill Olum, one of the early Kings of Munster. The name Duntryleague is derived from Dún-Trí-Liag, meaning the fort of three pillar stones. Diarmuid and Gráinne are also said to have rested here in their flight from the angry Fionn Mac Cumhaill"
Taken from http://www.aherlow.com/html/heritage_sites.html
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This website mentions footprints of Goll as below.
http://www.answers.com/topic/petrosomatoglyph
"At Slievenamon (The Mountain of the Women) at South Tipperary in Ireland is the rock that bears the footprints of Goll - 'the One-Eyed' - who made a giant leap across the valley to catch up with the hunt of the Fianna"
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Taken from the Irish Folklore Commission 1937/1938 Tipperary Reel 4 pg 85:
Buried treasure near Glenstal Castle
"It is believed that there is gold buried about a mile from Glenstal Castle. The gold is supposed to be buried with a giant. The giants grave is still to be seen"
When people went to dig for the gold water spurted out of the grave.
Another time they tried and the sound of a bull could be heard so they stopped.
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Taken from the Irish Folklore Commission 1937/1938 Tipperary Reel 4 pg 207:
The cairn about 400 yards away is called The Krall. It is about 7 feet high and about 30yards in diameter. The stones are similar to the ones in the Labba although they seem to have been brought from outside the area. The owner of the field would not let anyone take these stones.
A ring of stones can be viewed from the Krall in the townland of Reardnogymore. They were found when the bog was being cut away. The stones are standing on edge about 2 yards apart and the ring is 30 yards in diameter.
The North Tipp Inventory states that this stone-circle is no longer here.
At the other end of the Krall is an "old Quick or white-thorn bush and from this bush a path can be seen ran from that bush to the Maher-Clay moutain a distance of about an Irish mile"
This sounds like it links the Baurnadomeeny complex to the Mahurslieve. Its also interesting the direct quote is "Maher-clay Moutain".
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Taken from the Irish Folklore Commission 1937/1938 Tipperary Reel 4 pg 207:
The longstone according to this was originally part of a pair. It relates to the Diarmuid and Grainne story. Diarmuid carried this one on his back (The longstone) and Grainne carried a smaller one. Which is now gone.
Seemingly there is the print of a chain at the bottom of the remaining longstone. This was where Diarmuid used a chain to strap it on his back while carrying it.
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Taken from the Irish Folklore Commission 1937/1938 Tipperary Reel 4 pg 207:
The Labba was made up of 3 "apartments". One room was 15ft long and 5ft wide and 4ft high. The mound around was 20 yds in diameter.
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Some excerpts from the information board:
Labbacalle translates as "hags bed" and local folklore abounds with deeds of the old hag and her powerful husband the druid Mogh Ruith.
One story tells of a large boulder in the nearby river being thrown by the hag at her fleeing husband pinning him in the river.
A story related to the chamber is that four men went looking for gold in it. After they started to dig a strange cat appeared with fire coming out of its tale. Dazzled by the light they ran off and fell into the River Funshion. One man died in the river but they other three lived to tell the cautionary tale.
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A friends dad told me a story about the lake near Ashley Park. One day people where cutting barley in the field where the lake is and they struck a spring. They thought great some fresh water. However the spring didnt stop flowing and this is how the lake was formed. Im not sure if this is folklore or whether it is meant to be true but there are crannogs in the lake so it is likely the lake is their for at least 1000 years. Intriguingly the name of the lake is Lough Eorna or the lake of barley.
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When St. Paddy visited the hill a well sprang up where the horses' hooves touched the hillside as he jumped.
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St. Brigid was seemingly born nearby and graveyard/abbey is where St. Brigid became a nun.
Underneath the hill was the Sli of Brí Ele.
From Mythic Ireland
"In early literature, Ele is represented as a maiden and goddess of awe-inspiring beauty. Every year one of Finn's young men went out from the Hill of Allen to meet her and was lost for ever, in her síd beneath Croaghan Hill.
The Dindshenchas stated that the source of the River Shannon was under Brí Ele at a well called Linn Mna Feile 'the Pool of the Modest Woman'."
It is also associated with the underworld and being sucked into the hill. The cairn on top is meant to have been the entrance to a volcano.
Brigits sister (part of the triple goddess), Begoibne had her smithy workshop beneath the hill and built beautiful cauldrons.
He also states that winter solstice sunrise is visible over Cloghan hill from the Hill of Uisneach.
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There is a lot of myth and legend attached to the Hill of Allen, it is called the birthplace of Fionn MacCumhail and it is said to have been the mythical Fiannas main fort. It is also associated with the god Nuada and he built a white walled palace on it.
It was called the Island of Allen because it is surrounded by the bog of allen.
It is also know as Almu. Almu is associated with a goddess/beautiful woman.
Fionn MacCumhail is meant to have throw Punchestown Standing Stone from here.
It is associated with Cloghan Hill and every year Fionn is meant to have sent a young warrior to Bri Ele where he was taken into the underworld to meet Brigdit.
I seem to remember reading somewhere as well that the tower folly built on top of it used a wedge tomb for its foundations but I havent been able to find I reference for this again.
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Taken from Sacred Ireland – Cary Meehan
"The Boyne is closely linked with the goddess Boand or Bó Fhinn, the White Cow Goddess who is part of the earliest Irish mythology. She is said to inhabit a sí or mound here where Newberry house now stands, at the source of the river Boyne. The well is described as having nine hazel trees overhanging it. When the nuts fell into the well, their magical properties went into the water. It was said that anyone drinking its water in June would become a poet. Boand was, among other things, the goddess of poetry.
Carbury used to be known as 'Sidh Neachtain' which means 'the Fairy Mound of Neachtain'. Neachtain is mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters as a Tuatha Dé Danann leader and king of Ireland for one year in 45AD. He is variously known as Neachtain or Nuadha and also as the magical figure Neachtain, the water god, whose task was to care for the well and make sure its power was not unleashed in a destructive way. There are a number of versions of the following story.
Neachtain and Boand were married but she was never allowed to visit the sacred well with her husband. He and his brothers were the keepers of the well and even its location was kept a secret. They made regular visits there and on one occasion, overcome by curiosity, Boand followed them. Later she went back herl
self and tasted the forbidden water which then rose up and overwhelmed her, flowing out to sea and forming the sacred waters of the river Boyne, a watery embodiment of her spirit as the goddess Boand."
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Taken from http://www.ucd.ie/envinst/envstud/mushroomstones/about02.html
In the townland of Clonkeen (in a field close to the road from Clonbullogue to Clonad House, in County Offaly) is a stone known as Finn Mac Cool's stone. According to legend this is a stone which the mythical Irish giant tried to throw from the top of Croghan Hill at another giant standing on the Hill of Allen in the Kildare hills. The stone however fell short of its target in Clonkeen, where it was spotted by a dog as it rolled along the ground; the dog is said to have stopped it with its paw. A credulous eye can still make out the mark of a dog's paw on one side of the stone and the giant's hand on the other.
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I met a lovely sheep-farmer up here called Jim (I was hiding in the bushes, I think he must have thought I was a sheep-worrier). Nice guy he said that they were known locally as the Pipers Stones. The cup-marks he said were the feet of cuchalainns hound that jumped from here to the Bog of Allen to the north. A serious jump by anyones standards. He mentioned hooves so maybe it was cuchalainns steed rather than hound, I think that has a better ring to it.
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Well the story goes that the Devil was flying over Ireland trying to steal the souls of the people and tempt them. However good old St. Patrick had done such a good job that the Devil couldn't tempt anyone so in a fit of rage he bit into the mountain here in Tipperary and spat it out all of the way down to Cashel in South Tipp. So this hunk of rock is said to be what makes up the Rock of Cashel.
Possibly this is a christained story of the usual giant story throwing rocks around.
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Megalithic explorer from Co. Tipperary in Ireland. Travelling Munster in search of adventures.
Contact me at [email protected] or [email protected]
Please email me if you wish to use any of my pictures. They are not copyright free.
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