Oweynagat


Oweynagat

Location: Glenballythomas, Co. Roscommon

Classification: Cave

SMR Code: RO022-057031-

Rating:


The cave is a natural rift in the limestone which is entered through an early-medieval souterrain which incorporates lintel stones marked with inscriptions in ogham script, one of which reads, 'Fraech, Son of Medb'. The souterrain opens into an underground natural limestone cave that extends for 37m north-northwest. The base of the cave is 2.5m at its widest and narrows to .7m with a height of about 6m.

Description

The cave is a natural rift in the limestone which is entered through an early-medieval souterrain which incorporates lintel stones marked with inscriptions in ogham script, one of which reads, 'Fraech, Son of Medb'. The souterrain opens into an underground natural limestone cave that extends for 37m north-northwest. The base of the cave is 2.5m at its widest and narrows to .7m with a height of about 6m.

History

Oweynagat features heavily in Irish mythology, mainly because of its placement near Queen Medb's fort which was at the centre of 'Cruachan' the ancient capital of Connaught. The ogham inscription on the lintel stone is the earliest known written reference to Queen Medb.

Folklore

The cave was said to be the actual birthplace of Queen Medb herself, the story goes that a goddess/fairy queen named Étain accompanied by her handmaiden Crochan Crogderg (meaning 'blood-red cup'), was fleeing her human husband with her fairy lover Midir. Midir wished to visit a relative named Sinech who lived in the cave, which was said to be a great 'otherworld' palace. Crochan (the handmaiden) became so enamoured with the place that she was granted the cave by Étain and it was here that she gave birth to a daughter, Medb. The Morrígan; a goddess with whom Queen Medb is often associated, is also said to dwell within the cave. The Morrígan was the goddess of battle and strife and was said to drive her cattle into the cave at Oweynagat each sunset. Once the Morrígan also took the bull of a woman named Odras who followed her into the cave and fell into an enchanted sleep. Upon awakening, Odras saw the Morrígan standing over her whispering a spell, turning her into a river.

This monument is part of a Complex

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Rathcroghan Royal Complex


Location: Tulsk, Co. Roscommon


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This monument is part of a Complex

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Rathcroghan Royal Complex


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Accessibility Rating: Moderate

The entrance/souterrain is quite easily accessed, however, the way down from there to the cave is very slippery, so be very careful. You may also get quite dirty, so old clothes are a good idea. 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

The entrance/souterrain is quite easily accessed, however, the way down from there to the cave is very slippery, so be very careful. You may also get quite dirty, so old clothes are a good idea. 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 Visitors Centre Tulsk, Castlerea, County Roscommon. Tel: 00353 (0) 71 963 9268

Map


Directions

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Sunrise/Sunset

Sunrise: 07:48

Sunset: 16:46


Directions

Directionssq

Weather

Weathersq

Sunrise/Sunset


Sunrise: 07:48

Sunset: 16:46


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