King Mesgegra's Mound

King Mesgegra's Mound is a motte and ancient Irish royal site located in Clane, County Kildare, Ireland.[1]

King Mesgegra's Mound
King Mesgegra's Mound is located in Ireland
King Mesgegra's Mound
Shown within Ireland
LocationCarrigeen, Clane,
County Kildare, Ireland
Coordinates53.287093°N 6.684180°W / 53.287093; -6.684180
TypeMotte
Diameter43 m (140 ft)
History
Materialearth
PeriodsIron Age
Site notes
Public accessyes

Location

King Mesgegra's Mound is located south of Clane, 160 metres (540 ft) northwest of a fording point on the River Liffey.

History and archaeology

According to Ulster Cycle legends, Mesgegra, King of Leinster, confronted the Ulster warrior Conall Cernach at the ford in Clane. Conall beheaded Mesgegra at the bullaun stone and placed his head in the hollow. Mesgegra's body was buried under King Mesgegra's Mound, while his head was buried at Mainham, north of Clane, along with his wife Buan.[2][3] This story is recounted in Tallaind Etair ("The Siege of Howth") in the 12th-century Book of Leinster.[4]

The mound was later built on in the 12th century by the Normans who took control of Clane, probably by Richard de Hereford.

Sunday's Well, a warm spring now covered over, is at its base. At 13 °C (55 °F), it is one of only ten such springs in Ireland.[5]

References
  1. "Mullach Raoileann/Mullaghreelan". Logainm.ie.
  2. "Clane Bullaun Stone". www.megalithicmonumentsofireland.com. 2010.
  3. "Co. Kildare Online Electronic History Journal: Clane, Parish of - Comerford's "Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin"". www.kildare.ie.
  4. "The Siege of Howth". toddmcompton.com.
  5. "thermal springs". homepage.eircom.net.
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