www.rathcroghan.ie
Rathcroghan Celtic royal site comprises a complex of 6km²
• 240+ archaeological sites, 60 of these are national
monuments
• The sites range in period from the Neolithic up to at least
the 17th century
It is the oldest Celtic Royal Site in Ireland. It is:
• Older than the Tara complex
• The only Royal site on the island never to be disturbed by
excavation
• The location for the inauguration of Connacht and O’Conor
kings
• A unique ritual and ceremonial centre, where each
generation reinterpreted the complex to satisfy their beliefs
and spiritual needs
Queen Medb
Oweynagat, the Cave of the Cats
The Irish manuscript tradition tells us that Rathcroghan is:
• One of the three ‘Heathen’ royal cemeteries of Ireland
• The home of the Warrior Queen Medb
• The location for the beginning and end of the great Irish epic Táin Bó Cúailnge
• The ‘fit abode’ of the Battle Goddess Morrigan
And the place where Connacht Kings came to be crowned, from time immemorial up until the High Medieval period
The archaeology here provides us with a series of monuments that clearly indicate several generations of ritual and ceremonial practice
No excavation has ever taken place on the complex, with only non-invasive scientific techniques being used to interpret the landscape
Much must still be explored, meaning that visitors can truly own their experience with the landscape and suggest their own theories on this mysterious complex
Rathnadarve – ‘The fort of the bulls’ Rathbeg – ‘The Little Fort’
Cashelmanannan – ‘Manannán’s Fort’ Relignaree – ‘Burial ground of Kings’
Some of the monuments on our complex
• NEW Fully Interactive Audio-Visual Exhibition (Upgrade to be finished early 2014)
• Dedicated, highly-knowledgeable, and enthusiastic tour-guides for both exhibition and sites tours
• Wheelchair access and facilities
• Conference and Lecture Room facilities
• Onsite Café
• Book, Souvenir and local Craft shop
• Car park with capacity to fit two Large coaches (across the road from the centre)
• Brochures in English, French, German, Dutch and Italian
Where the N5
Dublin to
Westport Rd
intersects N61
Roscommon to
Boyle Rd
GPS Co-
Ordinates:
N 53.77909 W
8.25423
We are open all year
round,
From Monday to
Saturday 9am-5pm,
including Bank
Holidays!
Our tour guides can cater for a wide range of historical topics and periods pertaining to:
• The Rathcroghan complex, both prehistoric and historic
• Co. Roscommon
• Connacht and the West of Ireland
• Ireland the wider Celtic World
Let us tailor a tour to your needs and interests
We also have a range of genealogical resources at our disposal, for those seeking to add detail to their family tree or search out where their family name originates
One of the many monuments on our complex, Rathmore ringfort
• ‘Who were the Celts?’ – an investigation into the European Iron Age
• A spiritual interpretation of the Táin Bó Cuailnge
• Rathcroghan Archaeological Conference 2013
• Arcland Community Archaeological Conference 2014
• Goddess Gathering Conference 2012 & 2013
• UCD Archaeological Society Tour November 2013
And many more besides...
Above: UCD trip to RathcroghanBelow: Goddess Gathering 2013
Due to the nature of the monuments on the Rathcroghan complex, the stories associated with them, and their use through the centuries, many people feel a spiritual pull to this landscape.
We try to harness these beliefs and traditions by:
• Recounting the stories and folklore of the area
• Allowing people access to the monuments so that they can make a spiritual connection
• Provide insight to the theories that people may have of the sites and their significance
Cernunnos – the ‘horned god’ of Celtic polytheism
Depiction of Medb commanding her troops
Primary school
• Fun and informative workshops that educate children on different aspects of life in Ireland in the Iron Age and Medieval period
Secondary school
Junior Cycle
• A curricular-linked exhibition and sites tour that works closely with some of the specific learning outcomes of the History programme
Transition Year
• A unique tour experience down into Oweynagat –‘Cave of the Cats’, the pagan Celtic entrance to the Otherworld, awaits any who are brave, or foolish enough!
Senior Cycle
• Talks and workshops available for those who want to make the most out of their Leaving Certificate Research Project
Scouting Ireland workshops
• Linking strongly with the NEW scouting education programmes, we transform scouts into archaeologists for a day of learning and fun!
Medieval Cooking Demonstration
Sacrifices to the Morrigan!
Exhibition TourAdult €7.00
Senior €6.00
Student €6.00
Child or Schools €5.00
Groups 10+ €5.00 pp
Groups 20+ €4.00 pp
Site Tour (Min. of 4 people or €20)Adult €5.00
Senior €4.00
Student €5.00
Child or Schools €3.00
Groups 10+ €4.00 ppGroups 20+ €4.00 pp
Combined Tours (Exhibition and Sites)Adult €10.00
Senior €8.00
Student €9.00
Child or Schools €6.00
Groups 10+ €8.00 pp
Groups 20+ €7.00 pp
Workshops are priced according to what is required, with a base line price of €10
So, when you are planning your next trip to Roscommon, Connacht and the West of Ireland, make
sure not to miss out on its spiritual homeland and REALcapital!
Any and all questions are most welcome.
At this point I would like to invite your organisation to a complimentary tour of our facilities, to see what we can
offer you and your customers!