www.rathcroghan.ie

Rathcroghan Celtic royal site comprises a complex of 6km²

• 240+ archaeological sites, 60 of these are national

monuments

• The sites range in period from the Neolithic up to at least

the 17th century

It is the oldest Celtic Royal Site in Ireland. It is:

• Older than the Tara complex

• The only Royal site on the island never to be disturbed by

excavation

• The location for the inauguration of Connacht and O’Conor

kings

• A unique ritual and ceremonial centre, where each

generation reinterpreted the complex to satisfy their beliefs

and spiritual needs

Queen Medb

Oweynagat, the Cave of the Cats

The Irish manuscript tradition tells us that Rathcroghan is:

• One of the three ‘Heathen’ royal cemeteries of Ireland

• The home of the Warrior Queen Medb

• The location for the beginning and end of the great Irish epic Táin Bó Cúailnge

• The ‘fit abode’ of the Battle Goddess Morrigan

And the place where Connacht Kings came to be crowned, from time immemorial up until the High Medieval period

The archaeology here provides us with a series of monuments that clearly indicate several generations of ritual and ceremonial practice

No excavation has ever taken place on the complex, with only non-invasive scientific techniques being used to interpret the landscape

Much must still be explored, meaning that visitors can truly own their experience with the landscape and suggest their own theories on this mysterious complex

Rathnadarve – ‘The fort of the bulls’ Rathbeg – ‘The Little Fort’

Cashelmanannan – ‘Manannán’s Fort’ Relignaree – ‘Burial ground of Kings’

Some of the monuments on our complex

• NEW Fully Interactive Audio-Visual Exhibition (Upgrade to be finished early 2014)

• Dedicated, highly-knowledgeable, and enthusiastic tour-guides for both exhibition and sites tours

• Wheelchair access and facilities

• Conference and Lecture Room facilities

• Onsite Café

• Book, Souvenir and local Craft shop

• Car park with capacity to fit two Large coaches (across the road from the centre)

• Brochures in English, French, German, Dutch and Italian

Where the N5

Dublin to

Westport Rd

intersects N61

Roscommon to

Boyle Rd

GPS Co-

Ordinates:

N 53.77909 W

8.25423

We are open all year

round,

From Monday to

Saturday 9am-5pm,

including Bank

Holidays!

Our tour guides can cater for a wide range of historical topics and periods pertaining to:

• The Rathcroghan complex, both prehistoric and historic

• Co. Roscommon

• Connacht and the West of Ireland

• Ireland the wider Celtic World

Let us tailor a tour to your needs and interests

We also have a range of genealogical resources at our disposal, for those seeking to add detail to their family tree or search out where their family name originates

One of the many monuments on our complex, Rathmore ringfort

• ‘Who were the Celts?’ – an investigation into the European Iron Age

• A spiritual interpretation of the Táin Bó Cuailnge

• Rathcroghan Archaeological Conference 2013

• Arcland Community Archaeological Conference 2014

• Goddess Gathering Conference 2012 & 2013

• UCD Archaeological Society Tour November 2013

And many more besides...

Above: UCD trip to RathcroghanBelow: Goddess Gathering 2013

Due to the nature of the monuments on the Rathcroghan complex, the stories associated with them, and their use through the centuries, many people feel a spiritual pull to this landscape.

We try to harness these beliefs and traditions by:

• Recounting the stories and folklore of the area

• Allowing people access to the monuments so that they can make a spiritual connection

• Provide insight to the theories that people may have of the sites and their significance

Cernunnos – the ‘horned god’ of Celtic polytheism

Depiction of Medb commanding her troops

Primary school

• Fun and informative workshops that educate children on different aspects of life in Ireland in the Iron Age and Medieval period

Secondary school

Junior Cycle

• A curricular-linked exhibition and sites tour that works closely with some of the specific learning outcomes of the History programme

Transition Year

• A unique tour experience down into Oweynagat –‘Cave of the Cats’, the pagan Celtic entrance to the Otherworld, awaits any who are brave, or foolish enough!

Senior Cycle

• Talks and workshops available for those who want to make the most out of their Leaving Certificate Research Project

Scouting Ireland workshops

• Linking strongly with the NEW scouting education programmes, we transform scouts into archaeologists for a day of learning and fun!

Medieval Cooking Demonstration

Sacrifices to the Morrigan!

Exhibition TourAdult €7.00

Senior €6.00

Student €6.00

Child or Schools €5.00

Groups 10+ €5.00 pp

Groups 20+ €4.00 pp

Site Tour (Min. of 4 people or €20)Adult €5.00

Senior €4.00

Student €5.00

Child or Schools €3.00

Groups 10+ €4.00 ppGroups 20+ €4.00 pp

Combined Tours (Exhibition and Sites)Adult €10.00

Senior €8.00

Student €9.00

Child or Schools €6.00

Groups 10+ €8.00 pp

Groups 20+ €7.00 pp

Workshops are priced according to what is required, with a base line price of €10

So, when you are planning your next trip to Roscommon, Connacht and the West of Ireland, make

sure not to miss out on its spiritual homeland and REALcapital!

Any and all questions are most welcome.

At this point I would like to invite your organisation to a complimentary tour of our facilities, to see what we can

offer you and your customers!