Hill of Ward

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Hill of Ward
Tlachtga
Hill of Ward - geograph.org.uk - 1923643.jpg
Highest point
Elevation 90 m (300 ft)
Prominence 50 m (160 ft)
Coordinates 53°37′26″N6°53′10″W / 53.624°N 6.886°W / 53.624; -6.886
Geography
Island of Ireland relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Hill of Ward
Tlachtga
Location in Ireland
Location County Meath, Ireland

The Hill of Ward (Irish : Tlachtga, formerly Tlachtgha) [1] is a hill in County Meath, Ireland.

Contents

Geography

The hill lies between Athboy (to the west) and Ráth Chairn (to the east). During medieval times it was the site of great festivals, including one at which winter fires or bone fires (Tine Cnámh) were lit at Samhain, the forerunner of the modern Halloween. 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 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. According to Giraldus Cambrensis in 1172 Tigernán Ua Ruairc King of Bréifne was killed there at a parley with Norman invaders.

The hill got its English name 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]

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References

  1. Placenames Database of Ireland
  2. Mullally, Erin. 2016. "Samhain Revival".Archaeological Magazine. November/December 2016. Pages 34-37.