Townland names just south of Strokestown
Emergence of the O'Connor Tribes near Tulsk, Rathcroghan & the Tuatha de Danann.
Overview of Rathcroghan Clans
A branch within the royal Uí Briúin (Uí Briúin Aí) dynasty, the tribe of Síol Muireadaigh consisted of all the descendants of Muiredach Muillethan, a 7th-century King of Connacht. The term Síol denotes the seed, or descendants, of Muiredach. According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the Síol Muireadhaigh were the chiefly family of the Uí Briúin tribe of Connachta who in turn were from the Gaels, the fourth and final wave of Celtic settlement in Ireland which took place during the first century BC.[1]
The major division within the tribe was between the descendants of Muireadhach's two sons, Indrechtach and Cathal (a quo Clann Cathail), who would both go on to become Kings of Connacht.
Síol Muireadagh's parent dynasty, the Uí Briúin, held the Kingship of Connacht, with one exception, for over 700 years (696–1474). The vast majority of Uí Briúin kings were members of the Síol Muireadaigh, whose power reached its peak in the 12th century when Toirdhealbhach Mór Ua Conchobhair was recognized as High King of Ireland. Toirdhealbhach's son Ruaidri mac Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair, would go on to succeed him, becoming last the Gaelic High King of Ireland.
Rathcroghan in County Roscommon, Ireland, is a major archaeological landscape with over 240 identified monuments, including 60 protected national monuments spanning Neolithic to medieval times. It is renowned as the1. capital of Connacht, with key sites including the central Rathcroghan Mound, the "Hell's Gate" cave of Oweynagat, and extensive burial barrows.
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Key Monuments at Rathcroghan:
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Rathcroghan Mound (Ráith Crúachain): The primary, 85-meter-wide, grass-covered ceremonial mound believed to be the palace site of Queen Medb, offering views of the surrounding landscape.
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Oweynagat (Cave of the Cats): A natural limestone cave with an artificial stone entrance containing ogham stones, traditionally considered a gateway to the "Otherworld".
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Rathbeg (An Ráth Beag): A Bronze Age ring-barrow believed to be a burial mound and ritual site.
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The Mucklaghs: A large linear earthwork featuring two pairs of parallel banks and ditches, often associated with mythological tales.
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Relignaree (Reilig na Rí): Known as the "Burial Place of the Kings," this is a massive enclosure associated with ancient burials.
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Rathnadarve (Ráth da dTarbh): Known as the "Fort of the Bulls," a prominent ringfort nearby.
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Carnfree (Carn Fraoich): A medieval inauguration site used by the Kings of Connacht.
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Misgaun Medb and Milleen Medb: Large stone monuments, with one potentially being a collapsed megalithic structure.
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Rathmore (An Ráth Mór): A high-status ringfort site, often interpreted as a residence.
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