Thursday June 20

Today we travelled from the west coast to the east coast, about 300km altogether. We went via a town called Tulsk which is at the centre of an area with something like 240 archaeological sites dating back as far as 6000 years. We visited an historic site, Rathcroghan, the royal seat of Queen Maeve, who lived around 50-80 BC. The archaeological sites here include the Oweynagat cave which was said to be the entrance to the underworld. there was a belief that spirits both good and evil passed out of here to our world. Halloween was originally a pagan festival which had great significance here because of this cave. Because of the religious significance of the area St Patrick is said to have made this his religious centre. The town of Navan nearby is an important centre of both the Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland (both of whom have a St Mary's Church here!).

Clothing probably worn by Royals in the Iron Age

wooden Throne

Weaponry found in local Archaeological digs: iron age spear and sword, 16th century helmet

items  in local Archaeological digs

Tulsk Abbey, Rathcroghan

Royal Mound Rathcroghan

what the Royal Mound probably looked like

Rathbeg Mound, not far from the Royal Mound

St Mary's Church of Ireland

St Mary's Catholic Church

Sheep in field of Royal Mound, Rathcroghan