Rathcroghan Mound

Elphin (Roscommon)

Ráth Chrúachan aka Rathcroghan is the oldest and largest unexcavated Royal Complex in Europe and the origin point for our National Epic ‘an Táin Bó Cuailnge’ - the Cattle Raid of Cooley.

Kings were inaugurated at the ceremonial heart of Rathcroghan and the site is witness to the rise and fall of great tribes, wealthy chieftains and dynastic families. The majestic and enigmatic Rathcroghan Mound (matching Newgrange in size) was once impressively topped by wooden ramparts and ceremonial henges in the Iron Age. 

Rathcroghan Royal Site has been nominated to the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status and can be accessed by way of the Cruachan Ai Visitor Centre at Tulsk.