Mullyash Kerbed Cairn

Mullyash Kerbed Cairn
Native name
Irish: Carn Chiumhais Mhullaigh Aise
Mullyash Carn

Lane to Mullyash Cairn
Type bowl barrow
Location Mullyash, Cremorne,
County Monaghan, Ireland
Coordinates 54°10′27″N 6°40′10″W / 54.17422°N 6.669354°W / 54.17422; -6.669354Coordinates: 54°10′27″N 6°40′10″W / 54.17422°N 6.669354°W / 54.17422; -6.669354
Area Mullyash Mountains
Elevation 317 m (1,040 ft)
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Built c. 4000 BC
Owner Coillte
Official name: Mullyash
Reference no. 564
Location of Mullyash Kerbed Cairn in Ireland

Mullyash Kerbed Cairn is a kerb cairn (bowl barrow) and National Monument located in County Monaghan, Ireland.[1]

Location

Mullyash Kerbed Cairn is located at the peak of Mullyash Mountain, 7.5 km (4.7 mi) northeast of Carrickmacross, near the border.[2][3]

History

Cross-section of a typical bowl barrow

The cairn dates back to the early Neolithic, c. 4000 BC. The cairn was visible from all parts of the surrounding countryside (at least until the view was blocked by modern tree-planting). From Mullyash one could see as far as Slieve Gullion, Loughcrew, the Mourne Mountains and Cooley Mountains.

Until modern times, the cairn was visited by locals on the last Sunday in July (Crom Dubh's Sunday), a remnant of the Celtic festival of Lughnasadh. Celebrants climbed from the southwest, danced and celebrated at the cairn, and walked down to the west to a standing stone. Mullyash was renowned for matchmaking.[4][5]

Local legend connected the cairn with the urn burial of a nobleman's daughter. Her father murdered her after she eloped with a young prince of whom he did not approve. If mortals eat certain foods they can see the gold treasure buried with her; perhaps a remnant of ancient shamanic rituals. Another legend claims that Fionn mac Cumhaill threw a stone from Slieve Gullion to Mullyash (a distance of 16.6 km / 10.3 mi), and this is the standing stone that still is there.[6][7][8][9]

Description

Mullyash Kerbed Cairn is a stepped two-tiered kerbed cairn or bowl barrow, or possibly a kind of passage grave. The walls are revetted and the cairn is about 16 m (52 ft) in diameter and 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) high.

The standing stone is located 200 m west of the cairn. It once stood 3.6 m (12 ft) high but is now broken.

References

  1. ↑ Lewis, Samuel (1 January 1984). "A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland: Comprising the Several Counties, Cities, Boroughs, Corporate, Market, and Post Towns, Parishes, and Villages, with Historical and Statistical Descriptions ...". Genealogical Publishing Com – via Google Books.
  2. ↑ Cunningham, Noreen; McGinn, Pat (1 January 2001). "The Gap of the North: The Archaeology & Folklore of Armagh, Down, Louth, and Monaghan". O'Brien Press – via Google Books.
  3. ↑ M'Kenna, J. E. (1 January 1920). "Diocese of Clogher: parochial records, Monaghan". "Fermanagh Herald" Office – via Google Books.
  4. ↑ "Mullyash Mountain".
  5. ↑ MacNeill, Máire (1 January 2008). "The festival of Lughnasa: a study of the survival of the Celtic festival of the beginning of harvest". Comhairle Bhéaloideas Éireann – via Google Books.
  6. ↑ "Mullyash".
  7. ↑ http://www.monaghan.ie/en/media/monaghanie/content/files/pdf/planning/Chapter2.pdf
  8. ↑ Weir, Anthony. "County Monaghan - selected monuments".
  9. ↑ "Mullyash Megalithic Cairn - Mountain - Facebook".
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