Lora O'Brien – Irish Author & Guide

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Tag: Ancient Sites

Medb's Heap - Miosgan Medb at Rathcroghan

Medb’s Heap – Miosgán Medb

Posted on October 9, 2019October 9, 2019 by Lora O'Brien

This post is about the monument known as Medb’s Heap, Medb’s Cairn, Medb’s Tomb, Medb’s Nipple or Medb’s Grave (and sometimes the name Medb is anglicized as Maeve). In Irish it’s called Miosgán Medb, from the old Irish word mescán – mass, lump, heap. Now, you’ll likely have heard tell of the one in County…

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Drumlohan Ogham Stones

Site Visits – Drumlohan Ogham Stones

Posted on June 28, 2018September 25, 2019 by Lora O'Brien

It’s 2 years since myself and my sister set off on my first Patreon site visit, and I thought I’d share a version of the report for the anniversary! Before the Visit Why This Site? I’ve been aware of the site, peripherally at least, since I saw a picture in Daragh Smyth’s ‘A Guide to…

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The Stolen Child

The Stolen Child

Posted on June 17, 2018September 3, 2018 by Lora O'Brien

Clochar na Trócaire, Ceapach Chuinn Location: Cappoquin, Co. Waterford In the center of Waterford there lies a place which long ago was the stronghold of the ‘Fir Bolgs’. This place is a large Lios descending into the ground for about two feet, and then in underneath for about four yards. At the end of this…

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Ringfort in Mayo - Lios na Gaoithe near Newport

Liosanna – Irish Fairy Forts

Posted on April 8, 2018September 3, 2018 by Lora O'Brien

To follow on from the recent post on Irish Ráths, I wanted to include some extra detail on a type of Ráth – the Lios. In my experience and understanding, Liosanna (plural) are particularly associated with the Sidhe, the Irish Fairies, so I was very surprised to come across this account today… Liosanna are plainly…

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What is a Rath?

Posted on March 13, 2018September 3, 2018 by Lora O'Brien

Yes, I feckin spelled that right. Thank you. Rath, not wrath. Ráth is the Irish term for an archaeological Ringfort, anglicised as Rath – or one of the terms, rather. Others being lios (anglicised lis), caiseal (anglicised cashel), cathair (anglicised caher or cahir) and dún (anglicised dun or doon). [ref Nancy Edwards, ‘The Archaeology of Early…

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Aerial photograph of Cashelmanannan from the west (After Waddell et al. 2009, fig 6.7). Note the two 'annexes' attached to the main enclosure.

At Caiseal Manannán

Posted on February 13, 2018October 14, 2018 by Lora O'Brien

A clash of metal rang out over the training grounds, followed by a muffled grunt of exertion, and the wooden thud of shield engaging shield. “Put yer backs into it little wormies! Domhnall, keep that shield up, yer shoulder is wide open. Aoife, thrust and slice, stop that bloody hacking!” Her attention caught by the…

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Circles & Avenues: Rathcroghan, Navan, Knockaulin (Waddell, Fenwick, Barton - Chapter 5, fig 5.42)

The Royal Sites of Ireland

Posted on February 6, 2018February 13, 2018 by Lora O'Brien

The Royal Sites of Ireland are important places of assembly, ceremony, burial, and royal inauguration ritual; located in the four provinces of Ireland and the central region of Meath and Westmeath. Tara in the Middle (Meath), Navan Fort in Ulster (North), Dún Ailinne in Leinster (East), Cashel in Munster (South), and Rathcroghan in Connacht (West),…

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Queen Maev by J. C. Leyendecker

Queen Maedbh (Maeve) Cheat Sheet

Posted on February 4, 2018February 19, 2019 by Lora O'Brien

Here we’ll look at the basics on Maedbh, the ‘Celtic’ warrior queen of Connacht (yes, that’s the correct spelling – ‘Connaught’ is the later anglicised version) – her home, family life, relationships, ruling from Rathcroghan, burial, and the cultural inspiration she has become. “How do you spell that?!” It depends on which version of Gaeilge, the…

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rathcroghan visitor centre in tulsk county roscommon

Spiritually Ethical Tourism

Posted on January 29, 2018November 14, 2019 by Lora O'Brien

For a decade, I guided at and professionally managed a major Irish spiritual/sacred site; a vast archaeological complex of sites actually, with a ceremonial history stretching back as long as there have been people on this island. I started as a part time tour guide there, many moons ago, and I’m still requested to guide…

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Brian Boru Fort

Brian Ború’s Fort, County Clare

Posted on January 6, 2018August 1, 2019 by Lora O'Brien

This is Brian Boru’s Fort, Ballyvally, Co. Clare, in the South West of Ireland.  The Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) number is CL045-031.  For your Sat Nav, the GPS co-ordinates are approximately 52.819486, -8.451598, and it’s in Irish State ownership, so you don’t have to get permission to walk the site. Brian Boru (Old…

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