Rath Airthir

Nearest town:
Navan (7km ESE)
OS reference:
N8188172721
OS sheet:
42
Latitude:
53° 41' 51.9 N
Longitude:
6° 45' 36.61 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Rath Airthir (Round Barrow(s)) by Joseph Moran

An artistic rendition of what the royal enclosure at Tailteann may have looked like.

Image credit: Beyond the Borora
Joseph Moran
Joseph Moran Jul 15, 2026
Image of Rath Airthir (Round Barrow(s)) by Joseph Moran

A shot of the wonderfully domed bowl barrow, it’s quite large at 3.8m in height and 20m in diameter and one of the best preserved sites of this type that I know of, will have to visit it myself one day!

Image credit: Megalithic Ireland
Joseph Moran
Joseph Moran Jul 15, 2026

Articles

Folklore

Rath Airthir
Round Barrow(s)
Joseph Moran
Joseph Moran Jul 15, 2026

From ‘The Megalithic Portal’:

“Teltown (Tailten) is famous for the ancient Lughnasadh festival that took place here on the 1st August each year. It is a comprised of a large number of archaeological monuments. Amongst them is Rath Airthir ( the Eastern Fort). It is trivallate ceremonial enclosure defined by two high earthen banks and three fosses. There are references to Rath Airther in the Dinshenchas and it is believed that it may have been the location of the Royal assembly at Tailtu. The enclosure is at least 80 metres across it widest point and it is hidden beneath a canopy of sycamore trees. The only way to really appreciate the enormity of this site is visit yourself.

Centrally located in the enclosure is a large Barrow (Burial mound), pictured below. Because of it’s appearance it is often described as a norman motte. It is even suggested the the normans may converted the site for use as a motte and bailey. The site is located on private property, so please ask at the adjacent house for permission.”

Sites within 20km of Rath Airthir