The Mucklaghs


The Mucklaghs

Location: Glenballythomas, Co. Roscommon

Classification: Linear Earthwork

SMR Code: RO021-042015-

Rating:


The great ceremonial earthworks known as the Mucklaghs are located to the south of the Rathcroghan Complex. Folklore tells us that these huge earthworks are the results of the rooting of a giant boar, with 'muic' being the Irish word for pig. They are two linear earthworks which consist of double banks with three accompanying ditches which run north-east and south-west in a curving parallel course at a distance of 78 m apart. The Northern Mucklagh is the shorter of the two, measuring 100 m, but is impressively massive in its construction. The Southern Mucklagh is significantly longer, measuring approximately 280 m.

Description

The great ceremonial earthworks known as the Mucklaghs are located to the south of the Rathcroghan Complex. Folklore tells us that these huge earthworks are the results of the rooting of a giant boar, with 'muic' being the Irish word for pig. They are two linear earthworks which consist of double banks with three accompanying ditches which run north-east and south-west in a curving parallel course at a distance of 78 m apart. The Northern Mucklagh is the shorter of the two, measuring 100 m, but is impressively massive in its construction. The Southern Mucklagh is significantly longer, measuring approximately 280 m.

History

Many of the linear earthworks around the country such as 'The Black Pig's Dyke are thought to have been for territorial or martial use. However, historical sources suggest that this earthwork follows no known territorial divisions, which may indicate a monument of greater antiquity than currently thought. Rather than being linear earthworks extending over the landscape as boundaries, the two Mucklaghs may have been an attempt to create large ceremonial enclosures, one within the other. These would have been the largest ever created (int. diam. c. 500m; ext. diam. c. 1km) if they had been completed.

Folklore

The Muck Dubh (Black Pig) is a mythical giant boar which features in many folklore stories throughout Ireland, a reflection of both the respect and fear in which this animal was held by our ancestors. Because of its cultural importance, the Black Pig was also associated with various 'creation' tales, providing an explanation for how certain topographical features across the country were created. In this instance, the two rows of earthworks are supposed to have been gouged out of the land by its tusks as it foraged for food.

This monument is part of a Complex

Image

Rathcroghan Royal Complex


Location: Tulsk, Co. Roscommon


View this Complex

This monument is part of a Complex

Image

Rathcroghan Royal Complex


View this Complex

Accessibility Rating: Moderate

Guided tours of this monument and others within the complex can be arranged through the Rathcroghan Visitors Centre Tulsk, Castlerea, County Roscommon. Tel: 00353 (0) 71 963 9268. Visit www.rathcroghan.ie for more details.


Accessibility

Accessibility Class: Moderate

Guided tours of this monument and others within the complex can be arranged through the Rathcroghan Visitors Centre Tulsk, Castlerea, County Roscommon. Tel: 00353 (0) 71 963 9268. Visit www.rathcroghan.ie for more details.


Facilities

Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, Tulsk, Castlerea, County Roscommon. Tel: 00353 (0) 71 963 9268

Map


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Sunrise/Sunset

Sunrise: 07:48

Sunset: 16:46


Directions

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Weather

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Sunrise/Sunset


Sunrise: 07:48

Sunset: 16:46


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