Hill of Ward
Encyclopedia
The Hill of Ward, also known as the Hill of Tlachtga, is a hill in County Meath
, Ireland
. During medieval times it was the site of great festivals, including one at which winter fires were lit at Samhain
, the precursor of the modern Halloween
(October 31). It is associated with the figure Tlachtga
, a druidess in Irish mythology who is said to have given birth to triplets on the hill.
The Hill of Ward is the site of an Iron Age
ringfort
, which was in later times associated with the Kings of Mide
of and of Munster
. The hill featured in Irish stories of Tlachtga and her father Mug Ruith
, who was said to have ridden his flying machine roth rámach over it. In 1168 High King
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair
held a massive assemblage at the site.
The hill got its English name from a landowner, Ward, who had been evicted from his land during the invasion of Oliver Cromwell
in 1649. The land was given to a Roundhead
soldier. The Ward family whose ancestors were landowners of the hill and of whom the hill was named after are living in County Meath today.
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. During medieval times it was the site of great festivals, including one at which winter fires were lit at Samhain
Samhain
Samhain is a Gaelic harvest festival held on October 31–November 1. It was linked to festivals held around the same time in other Celtic cultures, and was popularised as the "Celtic New Year" from the late 19th century, following Sir John Rhys and Sir James Frazer...
, the precursor of the modern Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
(October 31). It is associated with the figure Tlachtga
Tlachtga
Tlachtga is the name of a powerful druidess from Irish mythology and a festival celebrated in her honor in early Ireland.Tlachtga was the daughter of Mug Ruith, a druid from Irish legend. She accompanied him on his world travels, learning his magical secrets and discovering sacred stones in Italy...
, a druidess in Irish mythology who is said to have given birth to triplets on the hill.
The Hill of Ward is the site of an Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
ringfort
Ringfort
Ringforts are circular fortified settlements that were mostly built during the Iron Age , although some were built as late as the Early Middle Ages . They are found in Northern Europe, especially in Ireland...
, which was in later times associated with the Kings of Mide
Kings of Mide
In medieval Ireland, the Kings of Mide were of the Clann Cholmáin, a branch of the Uí Néill. Several were High Kings of Ireland. After the collapse of the kingdom in the 12th century its dynasty, the Ua Mael Sechlainn or Ó Melaghlins, were forced west and settled on the east bank of the Shannon...
of and of Munster
Kings of Munster
The name Munster is derived from the Gaelic God, Muman. The province of Munster was once divided into six regions: Tuadh Mhuman , Des Mhuman , Aur/Ur Mumhan , Iar mumhan or Iarmuman , Ernaibh Muman , and Deisi Muman...
. The hill featured in Irish stories of Tlachtga and her father Mug Ruith
Mug Ruith
Mug Ruith is a figure in Irish mythology, a powerful blind druid of Munster who lived on Valentia Island, County Kerry. He could grow to enormous size, and his breath caused storms and turned men to stone. He wore a hornless bull-hide and a bird mask, and flew in a machine called the roth rámach,...
, who was said to have ridden his flying machine roth rámach over it. In 1168 High King
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair , often anglicised Rory O'Connor, reigned as King of Connacht from 1156 to 1186, and from 1166 to 1198 was the last High King before the Norman invasion of Ireland .Ruaidrí was one of over twenty sons of King...
held a massive assemblage at the site.
The hill got its English name from a landowner, Ward, who had been evicted from his land during the invasion of Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
in 1649. The land was given to a Roundhead
Roundhead
"Roundhead" was the nickname given to the supporters of the Parliament during the English Civil War. Also known as Parliamentarians, they fought against King Charles I and his supporters, the Cavaliers , who claimed absolute power and the divine right of kings...
soldier. The Ward family whose ancestors were landowners of the hill and of whom the hill was named after are living in County Meath today.