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Rathcroghan Royal Site and Visitor Centre
The pagan harvest festival of Samhain (modern-day Halloween) is said to have begun at mystical Rathcroghan, the oldest and largest unexcavated royal site in Europe!
Some 240 archaeological sites are concentrated in a 6.5km² region of Rathcroghan’s rural landscape. Ring forts, standing stones, burial chambers... All of these landmarks testify to the area’s important position in Irish history for more than 5,500 years. In the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre in the village of Tulsk, the museum sheds light on the ancient people who lived here, including early Neolithic settlers and Rathcroghan’s most famous former resident, Ireland’s fearsome Iron Age warrior queen, Maeve. Alongside interactive exhibitions and audio-visual presentations, 35 artefacts depict the domestic, ritual and often brutal aspects of bygone life in the area.
Both self-guided and guided tours of Rathcroghan are available. The guided tour lasts 2.5 hours and takes in top monuments in the area, such as the large Rathcroghan Mound and the cave of Oweynagat (the Cave of the Cats), which is where Samhain is thought to have originated. Such is the reputation of the cave as an entrance to the “Otherworld” that Christian scribes dubbed it Ireland’s “Gate to Hell”. Descending past the ogham stone-lined entrance to the cave’s atmospheric limestone cavern below is truly a mind-blowing experience. Note that appropriate outdoor clothing is required. Afterwards, enjoy lunch in the Táin Café, which serves a breakfast menu as well as other light bites. Round off your visit at the gift shop, where books, T-shirts and more make great souvenirs to remember your trip.
Rathcroghan Royal Site and Visitor Centre, County Roscommon
Need to know
Rathcroghan Visitor Centre is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, all year long. Last admission to the museum is 4:30pm.
Rathcroghan Museum Admission, Rathcroghan Guided Archaeological Tour and The Origins of Samhain Oweynagat Cave Tour can all be booked here.
Facilities at Rathcroghan include parking, a café and a gift shop. Full wheelchair and disability access is also available to the Visitor Centre.
