Rathcroghan Mound
Tourist site

Rathcroghan Mound

Cairns, Ireland
Rathcroghan Mound - © Sonder Visuals - Failte Ireland

A thousand-year-old site, built on the ancient royal site of Rathcroghan in Ireland. This ancient tumulus is home to over 5,500 years of history!

Rathcroghan Mound, also known as Cruachan, is a captivating archaeological site in County Roscommon, Ireland. It belongs to the large-scale Rathcroghan archaeological site, which was the beating heart of Connacht province and a place of great importance for the whole of ancient Ireland. This ancient royal capital, inscribed in the annals of Irish mythology, is woven into the very fabric of the epic legend Táin Bó Cúailnge (Cooley’s Cow Razzia).

History of Rathcroghan Mound

The history of Rathcroghan Mound, or Ráth Cruachan, is complex and rich, spanning more than 5,500 years!

Located in County Roscommon, Ireland, this archaeological site comprises 240 identified sites, covering an area of 6.5 km². It includes Bronze Age and Iron Age burial mounds, ringforts, standing stones, linear earthworks, and even an Iron Age ritual cave, known as the “gateway to hell”.

It includes Rathcroghan Mound, a gigantic grassy knoll. Also dating back to the Iron Age, it is one of the major sites in the Rathcroghan complex.

Visit Rathcroghan Mound

A sizeable mound!

Rathcroghan Mound, the centrepiece of this historic site, is an impressive circular mound with a flat top. With a diameter of 89 metres at its base and a height of 5.5 metres, it’s an imposing sight.

Gentle ramps to the east and west provide easy access to the summit, where the remains of a small mound can be seen.

Topographical studies have revealed that this mound was erected on top of an earlier monument, consisting of two concentric stone circles.

Around the mound, a vast enclosure 360 metres in diameter and 5 metres deep was discovered, testifying to the grandeur and importance of the site.

This enclosure encompasses several other monuments, placing Rathcroghan on a par with other iconic Irish royal sites such as Tara, Emain Macha, and Dún Ailinne, all of which feature similar structures.

You can of course visit the site via the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre. A guide will take you to the site and explain the history of the site, how it was built and how it was used at the time, with its pagan rites and burial traditions.

It’s an exciting, over-the-top place that will plunge you into the heart of Irish pagan history. A must-see, before discovering Rathcroghan’s other fascinating sites!


Practical Guide

Rathcroghan Mound

Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.

GPS coordinates

53.80229646240388, -8.304196610758817

Location

Rathcroghan Mound on the map

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