Rathcroghan: The Cave of the Cats
Roscommon, Ireland
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Cave of the Cats Seeker
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225
XP
2 days
Rathcroghan: The Cave of the Cats
225 XP
Rathcroghan is the royal complex of Connacht — 240 archaeological sites spread across ordinary Roscommon farmland, with the seat of the legendary queen Medb at the centre of it and the main mound still unexcavated after a century of study. The reason to come is Oweynagat, the Cave of the Cats: a natural limestone cave with an early medieval drystone souterrain built over its entrance, its lintels carrying ogham inscriptions, which medieval Irish literature names as the dwelling of the Morrígan and as an entrance to the Otherworld. It was associated with Samhain, the festival that modern Halloween came out of.
Required Activities
1
of 4
Visit the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre in Tulsk, gateway to a 240-site royal complex, seat of the legendary Connacht queen Medb
2
of 4
Book a guided tour from the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre out to Oweynagat, the Cave of the Cats, said in medieval Irish literature to be the dwelling of the Morrígan
3
of 4
Walk the fields around Rathcroghan mound itself, still unexcavated after more than a century of study
4
of 4
Find the cave's Samhain associations explained at the visitor centre, the festival now echoed in modern Halloween
Visit the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre in Tulsk, gateway to a 240-site royal complex, seat of the legendary Connacht queen Medb
Book a guided tour from the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre out to Oweynagat, the Cave of the Cats, said in medieval Irish literature to be the dwelling of the Morrígan
Walk the fields around Rathcroghan mound itself, still unexcavated after more than a century of study
Find the cave's Samhain associations explained at the visitor centre, the festival now echoed in modern Halloween
Before you go
Oweynagat is reached only on a booked guided tour from the visitor centre, and entry into the cave itself is restricted at present after a health and safety review — check what the tour includes before you book.
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225 XP
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225 XP
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