Ireland

Croghan Hill

Sacred hill and burial mound in County Offaly, Ireland

Location

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Historical Context

About

Croghan Hill (Irish: Cnoc Cruacháin or Brí Éile) is a hill with a height of 234 metres (768 ft) in County Offaly, Ireland. The remains of an extinct volcano, it rises from the Bog of Allen and dominates the surrounding plains. Historically known as Brí Éile, it is mentioned in Irish mythology and is traditionally seen as a sacred hill. On the summit is an ancient pagan burial mound with panoramic views, which reputedly became the inauguration site of the kings of Uí Failghe. On the eastern slope is an old graveyard and the remains of a medieval church, while at the western foot of the hill is the remains of a medieval settlement, church and castle. An ancient bog body, Old Croghan Man, was found nearby. The village of Croghan is at the southern foot of the hill.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Old Croghan Man death

between 362 BC and 175 BC

Old Croghan Man discovery

2003

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Defensive Structures

Castles
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Burial and Funerary Structures

Burial MoundsCemeteries
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Religious and Ritual Structures

ChurchesSacred Wells
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Domestic and Habitation Structures

VillagesTowns
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Environmental and Natural Features

Artificial Mounds
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

Ireland

Coordinates

53.35° N, -7.28° E