The Hill of Uisneach

The Hill of Uisneach

• We have a very important piece of Irish history near our school. It is called the Hill of Uisneach and it is on the main road from Athlone to Mullingar.

It is a large hill called Uisneach and it was very important in Ireland’s past. In ancient Ireland for a short while it was the home of Ireland’s High King before his home moved to the Hill of Tara. Ancient High King of Ireland

Cormac Mac Art

Hill of Uisneach

Hill of Tara

• It was a very important place for the druids of Ireland. The druids were like holy men from an ancient religion and they believed they had magic powers

Here the druids would meet.

Every year on the 1st of May the

feast of Bealtaine was

celebrated. The druids would

light a large fire to their god

Éiriú who they

believed was buried in the hill. It

is from this god that our

country Éire received its

name.

Uisneach was also used by the ordinary people of the

area as a market place. They would bring their

cattle, sheep and food they had grown and they would exchange these good with

other famers.This method is known as

bartering as actual money did not exist at the time.

When you drive past the hill you can see a large stone. In fact it is several stones put together. It is

known as the catstone.

Long ago Uisneach was known as the

navel of Ireland as it is

said to be right in the

centre of the country.

There is a legend that says that one night St. Patrick slept at the top of the hill. There is a big monument that marks this

spot.

St. Patrick’s Bed

Festival of Fires

Every year in May there is now a big festival at the hill to remember the feast of Bealtaine.

A big fire is lit. There is music, arts and lots of other things to

do. It is very popular. Have any of you visited the festival with your

family?