Croghan Hill
Encyclopedia
Croghan Hill is the remains of an extinct volcano and rises from the Bog of Allen
in the midlands of Ireland
in County Offaly
. Though only 234 m high it commands extensive views of the surrounding midland counties, across the flat, low-lying expanse of the Bog of Allen
. The village of Croghan
is located on the southern slope of the hill.
The O'Connors of Offaly, the old Gaelic rulers before colonisation and plantation
in the sixteenth century, had one of their main residences here, and it was also the place of inauguration of their chiefs. Just north of the hill is a holy well dedicated to St. Patrick (sign posted). The late Frank Mitchell, the celebrated geologist, preferred to give the distinction of the "navel of Ireland" not to the hill of Uisneach (26 km north-east of Athlone) but to the isolated hill, Croghan, which he described as a mass of volcanic rock. While accepting that Croghan Hill was not at the geographical centre of Ireland, Mitchell chose Croghan Hill because it lies in the heartland of the great raised bogs of the midlands. The cooling towers of at least four peat-fired generating stations (when they were operational) could be seen from the summit.
The Croghan Hill area is also notable for the 2003 discovery of Old Croghan Man
, the remarkably preserved bog body
of a high-status man of the early Iron Age
who is believed to have died some time between 362 BC and 175 BC.
Bog of Allen
The Bog of Allen is a large raised bog in the centre of Ireland between the rivers Liffey and Shannon.The bog's 958 square kilometers stretch into County Offaly, County Meath, County Kildare, County Laois, and County Westmeath. Peat is mechanically harvested on a large scale by Bórd na Móna,...
in the midlands of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in County Offaly
County Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
. Though only 234 m high it commands extensive views of the surrounding midland counties, across the flat, low-lying expanse of the Bog of Allen
Bog of Allen
The Bog of Allen is a large raised bog in the centre of Ireland between the rivers Liffey and Shannon.The bog's 958 square kilometers stretch into County Offaly, County Meath, County Kildare, County Laois, and County Westmeath. Peat is mechanically harvested on a large scale by Bórd na Móna,...
. The village of Croghan
Croghan (village), County Offaly
Croghan is a village in County Offaly in Ireland. It is situated near Croghan Hill,on an "island" of high ground surrounded by an expanse of raised bog which forms part of the Bog of Allen.-See also:* List of towns and villages in Ireland...
is located on the southern slope of the hill.
Historical associations
The mound at the summit is thought to be a bronze age burial place. It is believed that a Bishop MacCaille had his church there and lived around the time of St Patrick in the fifth century. The area also has strong associations with St. Bridget, who is said to have been born near Croghan hill. In pre-Christian times, Brigid as Brig, Bree or Bri was also associated with the Hill, and the inside believed to be a magic underworld called Bri Ele . Seen from Uisnech, the pointed summit coincides with the midwinter sunrise.The O'Connors of Offaly, the old Gaelic rulers before colonisation and plantation
Plantations of Ireland
Plantations in 16th and 17th century Ireland were the confiscation of land by the English crown and the colonisation of this land with settlers from England and the Scottish Lowlands....
in the sixteenth century, had one of their main residences here, and it was also the place of inauguration of their chiefs. Just north of the hill is a holy well dedicated to St. Patrick (sign posted). The late Frank Mitchell, the celebrated geologist, preferred to give the distinction of the "navel of Ireland" not to the hill of Uisneach (26 km north-east of Athlone) but to the isolated hill, Croghan, which he described as a mass of volcanic rock. While accepting that Croghan Hill was not at the geographical centre of Ireland, Mitchell chose Croghan Hill because it lies in the heartland of the great raised bogs of the midlands. The cooling towers of at least four peat-fired generating stations (when they were operational) could be seen from the summit.
The Croghan Hill area is also notable for the 2003 discovery of Old Croghan Man
Old Croghan Man
Old Croghan Man is the name given to a well-preserved Iron Age bog body found in an Irish bog in June 2003. The remains are named after Croghan Hill, north of Daingean, County Offaly, near where the body was found. The find is on display in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.Old Croghan Man...
, the remarkably preserved bog body
Bog body
Bog bodies, which are also known as bog people, are the naturally preserved human corpses found in the sphagnum bogs in Northern Europe. Unlike most ancient human remains, bog bodies have retained their skin and internal organs due to the unusual conditions of the surrounding area...
of a high-status man of the early 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...
who is believed to have died some time between 362 BC and 175 BC.
See also
- List of mountains in Ireland
- Geography of IrelandGeography of IrelandIreland is an island in northwest Europe in the north Atlantic Ocean whose main geographical features include low central plains surrounded by a ring of coastal mountains. The highest peak is Carrauntoohil , which is above sea level. The western coastline is rugged, with many islands, peninsulas,...
- Bog of AllenBog of AllenThe Bog of Allen is a large raised bog in the centre of Ireland between the rivers Liffey and Shannon.The bog's 958 square kilometers stretch into County Offaly, County Meath, County Kildare, County Laois, and County Westmeath. Peat is mechanically harvested on a large scale by Bórd na Móna,...
- Croghan villageCroghan (village), County OffalyCroghan is a village in County Offaly in Ireland. It is situated near Croghan Hill,on an "island" of high ground surrounded by an expanse of raised bog which forms part of the Bog of Allen.-See also:* List of towns and villages in Ireland...