Irish Roots 2015 Number 4 Irish Roots A few words from the editor Welcome to our Winter issue of Irish Roots. Where Issue No 4 2015 ISSN 0791-6329 on earth did that year disappear to? As the 1916 commemorations get ready to rumble CONTENTS we mark this centenary year with a new series by Sean Murphy who presents family histories of leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, page 6. We 4 News introduce another fascinating series featuring sacred sites of Ireland and we begin with a visit to the Hill of Uisneach in County Westmeath, a place of great significance in 5 And Another Thing the history and folklore of Ireland, page 8. Patrick Roycroft fuses genealogy and geology on page 16 and Judith Eccles Wight helps to keep you on track with researching your railroad ancestors 6 1916 Leaders Family Histories in the US, page 22. We remember the Cullen brothers who journeyed from the small townland of Ballynastockan in Co. Wicklow to Minneapolis, US, 8 Sacred Sites Of Ireland bringing with them their remarkable stone cutting skills, their legacy lives on in beautiful sculptures to this day and for generations to come, page 24. Staying in Co. Wicklow we share the story of how the lost WW1 medals of a young 10 Tracing Your Roscommon Ancestors soldier were finally reunited with his granddaughter many years later, page 30. Our regular features include, ‘And another Thing’ with Steven Smyrl on the saga of the release of the Irish 1926 census, page 5. James Ryan helps us to 12 ACE Summer Schools trace our Roscommon ancestors, page 10 and Claire Santry keeps us posted with all the latest in Irish genealogy, page 18. 13 Books Ireland We hope you find plenty of enjoyable reading from our mixed bag of article goodies in this issue and don’t forget if you want to share the genealogical goodwill a gift subscription always makes a useful and innovative present. 14 Society Notes Irish Roots magazine gift vouchers can be purchased from our website at www.irishrootsmagazine.com. 16 Genealogy and Geology Wishing you all a delightful festive season and I hope that your Christmas is filled with the gifts of many answers to your family history research questions at this joyful time of year. 18 What’s New? - Review Maureen

20 Back To Basics - An Overview Editor/Publisher Maureen Phibbs 22 U.S. Occupational Sources, Railway Irish Roots Media Ltd, Blackrock, Blessington, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. Workers Tel:-+ (0)87 9427815 Intl +353 87 9427815 Email:- [email protected] Website:- www.irishrootsmagazine.com 24 From Ballynastockan To Minneapolis Facebook.com/irishrootsmag Twitter@irishrootsmag 26 Australian Irish Connections Printed by Sculpture depicting Eriu, the sovereignty Boylan Print Group, Co. Louth, Ireland. Goddess of Ireland who gave her name to the International Distribution- 28 A Question Of Genealogy land. See Sacred Sites of Ireland, pages 8 and 9. Pineapple Media Ltd, Hampshire, UK. Photo by Julie Phibbs.

29 Letters To The Editor

30 WW1 Soldier’s Medals Returned To His Granddaughter IRISH ROOTS SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM Simply fill out the order form below (or a photocopy of it) and send it together with the appropriate remittance to:- Irish Roots Magazine, Blackrock, Blessington, County Wicklow, Ireland. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/irishrootsmag Name:- or on Twitter @IrishRootsMag Address:- I enclose a cheque for payable to Irish Roots Media Ltd. Yearly subscription rate to Irish Roots (four issues, including postage): Ireland €25.00; Copyright ©2015 Irish Roots Media Ltd. All rights reserved. UK £25, USA $37, Australia $42, Canada $40, Rest of world €27.00. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in Make payable in draft or cheque (in your local currency) to Irish Roots a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording Media Ltd or subscribe online at www.irishrootsmagazine.com. or otherwise without prior permission of the publishers. e-mail: [email protected] www.facebook.com/irishrootsmag 96 Personal views expressed in articles and letters are those of the contributor and are not necessarily those of the publishers. We reserve the right to delete from any article, material which we consider could lead to any breach of the law of libel. While we do not knowingly include erroneous information, the responsibility for accuracy lies with those who have submitted the material.

3 Irish Roots 2015 Number 4 Ancient Sweet Donoughmore: Life in an Irish Ancient Sweet Donoughmore chronicles the growth of an Irish rural district in Mid Cork to the beginning of the twentieth century. Along this journey the archaeology, early Christian and medieval periods are explored; leading on to a study of the religious and agrarian aspects; the Rural Parish to 1900 Great Famine and development of education culminating in an examination of the economy and the land question. Donoughmore is an old and historic district with the richest storehouse of pre historic monuments in Munster. Its early Christian church is synonymous with the patron saint Lachtin whose reliquary is one of the fi nest examples of 12th century metalwork in Ireland. Through a long period of settlement, a story of cultural identity and fortitude Ancient Sweet Donoughmore:is unfolded relating to theLife people who inheritedin that landscape.an PrimaryIrish evidence never Rural previously published gives the reader a direct and fascinating insight into the lives of people LIFE IN AN IRISH RURAL NEWS and transports them through a time tunnel of suspense and intrigue with some surprises. PARISH TO 1900 Parish to 1900 by author ForGerard example, a teacher who had O’Rourketo resign because of his part-time position chronicles as clerk of the Petty Sessions; how three ogham stones ended up in the National Museum of Ireland; the Holy Well that moved; a battle so brutal the location was called the Hill of Slaughter; how a the birth of an Irish ruralman lost three infantsdistrict and his wife in their effortsin to emigrate, mid how some poor creaturesCork in to desperation during the Famine stripped their clothing to pawn for food; the farmer who spent four years in Mountjoy Jail and strove to prove his innocence; an emigrant who befriended author Mark Twain; and how ten parish schools emerged by 1824. An ordinary rural parish, the beginning of the twentiethordinary people, now brought to lifecentury. and not forgotten. Along this The National Archives Of Ireland ‘A very interesting and informative piece of work which is well sourced journey the archaeology and andreferenced’ early Christian and John Coolahan, Professor Emeritus of Education National University of Ireland, Maynooth. Joins The Digital Preservation medieval periods are explored;‘The book enhances andleading enriches our understanding toof this storieda study of locality’ Coalition John A Murphy, Emeritus Professor of History UCC. the religious and agrarian‘A scholarlyaspects, and truly monumental bodythe of work thatGreat will be treasured for Famine future generations’ and development of educationMichael Galvin author and historian. culminating in an The National Archives joined the Digital examination of the economy and the land question. Preservation Coalition (DPC) on 22nd Through a long period of settlement a story of cultural September last. The DPC is an advocate ISBN 978-0-9933867-1-8 identity and fortitude is unfolded relating to the people and catalyst for digital preservation, who inherited that landscape.9 780993 386718 enabling its members to deliver resilient long-term access to content and services, Donoughmore is an old and historic district and helping them derive enduring value acknowledged in 1913 as being the richest storehouse of pre historic monuments in from digital collections. Munster. Its analogous link with St Patrick saw an early Christian church built and the patron saint Lachtin is synonymous with a reliquary that is accepted as being one The core mission of the National Archives of the finest examples of 12th century metalwork in Ireland. Its status is reflected by is to collect, manage, and preserve the the location of the reliquary in the Treasury room of the National Museum in Dublin public record of Ireland and ensure alongside such treasures as the Ardagh Chalice and Tara Brooch. its long term availability as a research resource and to underpin citizens’ rights. Further details at www.donoughmore.com or tel: 021/7337368. The book is available The long term availability of the public through local shops, in neighbouring parishes, Liam Ruiséal , Easons and Waterstones record demonstrates transparency and in Cork and from the website. accountability in the democratic process. John McDonough, the Director of the A special event was held at the IGRS And Cork Genealogical National Archives noted that ‘Joining the Irish Embassy in London for the Society To Host 2016 Family DPC will enable the National Archives organisations who are recipients of the History Conference to address matters such as the capture, ESP funding this year. The Minister curation and preservation of the public of State, Deenihan thanked the Irish A Family History Conference ‘Finding record which is increasingly generated in community organisations in Britain for Your Ancestors’ is to be hosted in a joint electronic format. The National Archives their contributions to the formulation of collaboration by the Irish Genealogical will be able to leverage experience, Ireland’s new Diaspora Policy and for Research Society and the Cork technical knowledge and policy their participation in the first ever Global Genealogical Society and will take place development from amongst the members Irish Civic Forum held in Dublin last June. in the Clayton Hotel, Silversprings, Cork on March 19th, 2016 next. of the DPC. Membership of the DPC will The Minister also paid tribute to the ensure the National Archives is better volunteers who are at the heart of Irish The one day conference will include placed to meet the significant challenges community organisations across Britain: lectures, workshops and consultations it faces in this area.’ “Without exception, I’m told by every with professional genealogists. Guest speakers will include:- Tony McCarthy, In joining the DPC, the National Archives organisation I meet that volunteers are the lecturer in Genealogy UCC and former along with its sister institution the backbone of the work they do. Whether editor of Irish Roots magazine, Ann National Library, in addition to Trinity it’s organising a tea-dance, visiting Marie Coghlan, APG member and Roz College Dublin, the Royal Irish Academy, people in their homes or creating new McCutcheon, Vice President IGRS. and the Public Record Office of Northern databases and social media strategies, thousands of volunteers across Britain Ireland will build towards a critical mass The conference is among one of the put an extraordinary amount of time and of institutions in Ireland concerned with events to celebrate the eightieth dedication into supporting their fellow the growing proliferation of cultural anniversary of the foundation of the Irish. “This is a true reflection of the Irish and administrative material in digital Irish Genealogical Research Society meitheal tradition where a community or electronic form and the need to take in 1936. For further updates and comes together to help one another.” steps towards its ongoing preservation information about the conference visit:- and access as key components of the Landmark International Heaney www.corkgenealogicalsociety.com State’s cultural, social and administrative www.irishancestors.ie history. Exhibition Announced For New Cultural And Heritage Centre, Opening In 2017 Certificate Of Irish Heritage Minister Of State Deenihan Scheme To Be Discontinued A major international exhibition Announces €6.73 Million In The Department of Foreign Affairs Emigrant Support Funding For celebrating the life and work of Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney is planned for and Trade has announced that the Irish Community In Britain display at the new Cultural and Heritage Certificate of Irish Heritage scheme is The Minister of State for the Diaspora, Centre within Bank of Ireland’s College to be discontinued. The uptake of the Mr Jimmy Deenihan T.D., has Green complex in 2017. Certificate of Irish Heritage has been announced details of €6.73 million in considerably less than anticipated. No The exhibition curated by the National further Certificates will be available for funding for the Irish community in Library of Ireland will draw on the purchase. Britain. Grants have been made to 110 writer’s extensive literary archive, which organisations in support of a range of was donated to the NLI in 2011, and on The Department of Foreign Affairs and projects for which applications have archives held by Emory University. It will Trade is conducting further analysis been received through the Emigrant feature Heaney’s original manuscripts as on how members of the Irish Diaspora Support Programme (ESP) operated by well as letters, unpublished works, diary seek to assert their Irish identity. This the Department of Foreign Affairs and entries, photographs, broadsides and analysis will inform any future decisions Trade. multi-media recordings. on initiatives in this area.

4 Irish Roots 2015 Number 4

…and another thing… Steven Smyrl switches channels between fact and fiction when it comes to making sense of the 1926 census saga

‘2016 marks the centenary of the Easter Rising of On a cold, blustery October Sunday evening in Dublin I 1916 and when the current Fine Gael and Labour was toasty warm, with my feet up, in our snug living room at the back of the house, watching the hugely popular fictional coalition government took office in 2011 it included television series ‘Downton Abbey’. The waspish Lady Mary is now managing the estate. Her sister, Edith, having - so far a commitment in the Programme for Government at any rate – successfully hidden the truth of her being the to amend the Statistics Act 1993 to allow for the mother of her “ward” Marigold, is now busy flitting back and forth to London, editing the magazine left to her by her late disclosure of data from the 1926 census in 2016’. fiancé, Michael Gregson. The Earl is fighting his conscience, became clear that the Central Statistics Office (CSO) would not wondering how to save his estate without ruining his tenants’ support the initiative, citing concerns for privacy. The original prospects, and his American wife, Cora, is beginning to feel the Statistics Act 1926 never provided any promise of everlasting effects of the post-war shortage of domestic staff. privacy, and neither did it provide for a minimum 100 Downstairs? It’s a little different. The housekeeper, “Mrs” years closure. The 100 year closure “rule” on census records Hughes is finally marrying the butler, Carson, who in turn compiled under the provisions of 1926 Act was introduced is more concerned about staffing the house. Daisy, the retrospectively as part of 1993 legislation to appease the CSO, undercook, is studying to better herself, all paid for by Mrs which argued that without such a rule the population at large Patmore, the cook. The under butler, Thomas, is somewhat would resist complying with future census canvassing. This indiscreetly mooning over the second footman…and why am I appears to be a mischievous ploy however as census data telling you all of this? Because it all takes place in 1926! compiled after the passing of the 1993 legislation is protected in any case by a legally irrevocable guarantee that it will remain As a slice of life, Downton Abbey records events both above secret for 100 years. and below stairs, laying bare the life and loves, the excess and the hardship, the success and the failure of all it touches. CIGO was also one of the vital cogs involved in the lobbying for public access to the data locked away in the UK’s wartime After the foundation of the State, the new Irish government National Register, compiled in 1939, which is now available to decided to undertake a census, a snapshot of facts about the access online at www.findmypast.ie. The result of that work population. This was to be the first since 1911, because the has been that the UK National Archives has collaborated with census of 1921 had to be abandoned at the last moment due to FindMyPast to allow direct public access to this “census” - the war of independence. While admittedly this record of life in compiled exactly 76 years ago - on a redacted basis. Data in the Ireland in 1926 won’t quite provide the same glorious spectacle National Register about people born less than 100 years ago of colour, drama and intrigue as that depicted in Downton will be redacted. Abbey nevertheless all human life will be found recorded. The usual patchwork of complicated human existence will also The reason I am telling you this is because of a meeting include the new post-partition economic, cultural and political held in October 2010 between senior CSO management and elites; the old order, already in decline, slipping away; and the representatives from CIGO. At that meeting, the CSO conceded omission of those who had for one reason or another migrated: informally that redaction would resolve concerns regarding no prospects, no future, or just the wrong politics. public access to data in the 1926 census relating to folk aged less than 100 years. 2016 marks the centenary of the Easter Rising of 1916 and when the current Fine Gael and Labour coalition government took Clearly, while I expect the CSO may continue to resist the idea, office in 2011 it included a commitment in the Programme for redaction is the answer. It resolves matters easily and requires Government to amend the Statistics Act 1993 to allow for the little thinking through. Returning to Downton Abbey, Violet, disclosure of data from the 1926 census in 2016. This was the the Dowager Countess of Grantham, has an opinion on most result of years of long-drawn-out and often intensive lobbying issues, and on excessive thinking she considers it “rather by the Council of Irish Genealogical Organisations, among overrated”. I would tend to agree! others. Steven Smyrl is President of Accredited Genealogists The then new Heritage Minister, Jimmy Deenihan TD, began Ireland – www.accreditedgenealogists.ie - and Chairman to make public pronouncements on the issue and the cabinet drew up the legally required “cabinet memo” to give effect to of the Irish Genealogical Research Society. its decision. But this all came to a shuddering halt once it www.irishancestors.ie

5 Irish Roots 2015 Number 4 1916 Family Histories of 1916 Leaders: Patrick and Willie Pearse, James Connolly and Tom Clarke

This is the first in a series of articles in which Sean Murphy details the family histories of leaders of the 1916 Rising

While Patrick was close to his older sister and Mary McGinn, a domestic servant, Margaret, born 1878, his younger sister both being probably from Co Monaghan. atrick Henry Pearse was born on 10 P Mary Brigid, born 1888, differed with James had two brothers, John who joined November 1879 at 27 Great Brunswick him politically. Pearse never married and the British Army, and Thomas, who Street (now Pearse Street), Dublin. was devoted to his family, in particular appears to have emigrated. Patrick’s parents were James Pearse, who his mother Margaret. was English born and a monumental James himself also joined the British sculptor, and Margaret Brady. Patrick’s Although initially a political moderate, Army in 1882 and served for about siblings were a brother William (Willie) Pearse gravitated towards advanced seven years, doing duty in Ireland before and sisters Margaret and Mary Brigid. republicanism and having joined the apparently deserting and returning to Irish Volunteers in 1913 and then Scotland. Connolly met his future wife James Pearse’s marriage to Margaret the conspiratorial Irish Republican Lillie Reynolds in Dublin and they Brady was his second and although from Brotherhood (IRB), he proceeded on the married in Scotland in 1890. Lillie was a Unitarian background, he converted path to revolution. Pearse commanded born in Co Wicklow in 1867, her parents to Catholicism, but without being a the revolutionary forces which being John Reynolds and Margaret particularly religious man. Margaret unsuccessfully endeavoured to establish Newman. Lillie was Protestant, but had Brady was born in 1857 in Dublin, her an Irish republic through the 1916 Easter to agree to her children being brought parents being Patrick Brady, a coal Rising, so it was inevitable that he would up as Catholics, reflecting the fact that merchant, and Brigid Savage. be at the head of the list of those to be while her husband James may have been Patrick was educated by the Christian executed. privately a non-believer, he conformed Brothers in Westland Row, then secured outwardly to the dictates of his church. Pearse was executed on 3 May 1916 in the a degree in Irish, English and French James and Lillie had seven children, Stonebreakers’ Yard in Kilmainham Gaol from University College Dublin and also including Nora, Roderic (Roddy), who and then buried at Arbour Hill, as were qualified as a barrister. Pearse’s maternal would have a career as a prominent the other executed leaders of the Rising aunt Margaret is credited with having trade unionist and politician, and a in Dublin. Pearse’s brother Willie held influenced his love of Irish history and daughter Mona who died tragically in a no leadership position in the Rising, but culture and he joined the Gaelic League fire in 1904. undoubtedly because of his closeness to at the young age of 16. Pearse had a his brother he too was executed on 4 May Now a committed trade union organiser particular interest in education and 1916. Characteristically, one of Pearse’s and socialist, Connolly worked first founded a school, St Enda’s, which while last compositions before his death was a in Dublin before living in the United initially successful, was in financial poem to his mother, in which he wrote, States between 1903-10. Returning to difficulties at the time of his death. ‘My gift to you hath been the gift of Ireland, Connolly established the Irish Pearse’s younger brother, Willie, with sorrow’. Citizen Army in 1913 and soon found whom he was to have a special bond, common cause with the nationalist Irish James Connolly was born in Edinburgh, was born on 15 November 1881 at Great Volunteers, who believed that an armed Scotland, on 5 June 1868, and not in Brunswick Street. Patrick and Willie, an revolution was necessary to free Ireland Co Monaghan as was formerly believed artist of limited talent, tried to maintain from British rule. and as he himself sometimes claimed their father’s sculpting business after (for example, in the 1911 Census). His Despite the fact that his forces were his death in 1900, but it failed in 1910. parents were John Connolly, a labourer, fewer in number than the Volunteers, 6 Irish Roots 2015 Number 4

Connolly played a key role during the Fenian conspiracy. Clarke went on Easter Rebellion in 1916. He directed an attempted bombing mission to military operations in the General England in 1883 but was arrested, Post Office, receiving a serious ankle tried and imprisoned in harsh wound. Detained after the surrender, conditions, being released in 1898. Connolly was court martialled and shot Tom Clarke’s wife was Kathleen in Kilmainham Gaol on 12 May 1916. Daly, who was born in 1878

1911 Census showing Patrick and Willie Pearse the Connolly family courtesy of the National Archives of Ireland.

Connolly was the last of the 1916 leaders in Limerick to Edward and James and Lillie Connolly to be executed and because of his Catherine Daly. The Dalys were wound, he was shot while placed sitting committed republicans and as a in a chair, which added to the growing friend of the family Clarke met public outrage caused by the executions. Kathleen in 1899 and married her Connolly’s daughter Nora left a moving in New York in 1901. Tom and account of his final conversation with Kathleen had three sons, John his wife, where he is recorded as saying, Daly, Tom and Emmet. ‘Hasn’t it been a full life, Lillie . . . And Having returned to Ireland isn’t this a good end?’. in 1907, Clarke continued his Thomas James (Tom) Clarke was born revolutionary activities and drew on 11 March 1858 in England at Hurst a younger generation to the IRB Tom and Kathleen Clarke Castle, Hampshire, the eldest of a family cause, most notably Seán Mac of four children. His father was James Diarmada and Patrick Pearse. Conscious Clarke was treated with particular Clarke, a native of County Leitrim and a of previous government infiltration of harshness by the British when detained British soldier, and his mother was Mary republican groups, Clarke operated in and following court martial, he was Palmer from County Tipperary. While an extremely secret and conspiratorial executed at Kilmainham on 3 May 1916. James was Protestant, Tom’s mother was manner and was probably the main One small mercy allowed to Clarke before Catholic and he too was brought up in influence on the form that the 1916 he died was a visit from his wife Kathleen, that religion. Rising took. who herself had been imprisoned and would later suffer a miscarriage. Having been posted to Dungannon, Although the commander of the Co Tyrone, James Clarke quit the army Irish Volunteers, Eoin MacNeill, had Sean Murphy is a genealogist, author and in 1868, and it was in that town the endeavoured to countermand orders for lecturer and teaches Adult Education classes family settled. The young Tom Clarke the Rising, Clarke and his IRB colleagues in genealogy in University College Dublin, as was drawn to nationalist politics and went ahead albeit with reduced forces. well as a new course starting in January 2016 joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Clarke wished to fight on in the General on the subject of the family histories of the While being sought by the police, Clarke Post Office even when his comrades leaders of the 1916 Rising. A chronology of the emigrated to New York in 1880, where realised that surrender was unavoidable. Rising and a bibliography of relevant books and articles may be found at http://goo.gl/5eo788. he became more deeply involved in No doubt because of his past record,

Timeline of 1916 Rising Events

1913 1913 1914 1916 1916 May 1916 Jan 31 Nov 23 Aug 4 Apr 24 Apr 29 3-12 Aug 3

Formation Britain declares Pearse surrenders to British Executions of of Ulster war on Germany Rising death toll about 450 15 leaders Volunteers of the Rising Formation Commencement of Easter Rising Roger Casement of Irish Volunteers Proclamation of Irish Republic hanged in Britain at GPO Dublin

7 Irish Roots 2015 Number 4 Sacred Sites Of Ireland

The Hill of Uisneach, sacred and royal centre of Ireland

By Ruth Illingworth

The Hill of Uisneach, County Westmeath is a place of great significance in the history and folklore of Ireland. A royal assembly site in early medieval times, Uisneach was considered to be the sacred and geographical centre of ancient Ireland. The place where the provinces of the country met.

A 30 tonne, six metre high boulder on His burial place is on the hill at a cairn the hill was seen as the point at which known as “Carn Ludach.” Near the cairn isneach was associated with a fire the five provinces of Ancient Ireland, on the summit of the hill is a lake known U Leinster, Munster, Connaght, Ulster and as Lough Lugh. Uisneach is also linked cult in pre-Christian times and was also connected with many of the deities of Mide met. This boulder was known as with the Father God of the Irish Celts-the the pre-Celtic and Celtic Irish peoples. Ail na Mireann (or the Catstone) ”Stone Dagda,who is said to have stabled his The Hill remained a place of importance of Divisions”. The division of Ireland solar horses there. The Celtic goddess in the political and religious history of into five provinces was said to have first of fertility, poetry and fire, Brigid also the Midlands of Ireland until at least happened when a people called the Fir appears to have been worshipped at the fifteenth century and was revered Bolg came to Ireland from Greece and Uisneach. There is a holy well dedicated by the Irish cultural nationalists of the divided Ireland into five “portions” at to her Christianised persona Saint Brigid, early 20th century who sought to draw Uisneach. Underneath Ail na Mireann is close to the hill. where Eriu, the sovereignty Goddess of on the mythical power of Uisneach in Uisneach was the site of one of the five Ireland who gave her name to the land is their campaign to win Irish political sacred trees of Ancient Ireland. This tree said to dwell. Irish mythology states that independence and to save the Irish - Craobh Uisneach is said to have fallen it was at Uisneach that Eriu handed the language. The Oxford Dictionary of soon after the arrival of Christianity in sovereignty of Ireland to the Sons of Mil, Celtic Mythology describes Uisneach as Ireland. The twelve rivers of Ireland were ancestors of the Gaelic Irish, on condition “a place that has played a significant role said to have burst forth from Uisneach. that the country be named after her. The in the Irish imagination.” Famous figures in Irish mythology such ancient Irish texts state that it was the as the warrior Fionn macCumhaill visited custom for kings to “marry” Eriu in a the hill and Uisneach is mentioned in Uisneach in Mythology ceremony on Uisneach as part of their many of the Irish mythological tales. In Irish mythology and folklore, inauguration ceremony. The hill was said to have been the site Uisneach was the navel or omphalos Eriu is just one of a number of deities of great feasts and fairs attended by of Ireland. The equivalent of Delphi associated with Uisneach. Another very all the rulers and druids at which laws in Greek mythology. The navel was important figure is Lugh. He was a pan- were promulgated. At the May Festival associated with birth and life and was European solar god worshipped by the of Bealtane, great fires were lit on the linked to the universal ideal of a sacred Celts and associated with the harvest and hill of Uisneach which were the signal centre from which everything radiated with the sun. Irish legends tell of Lugh for lighting fires on other hills across and where everything was connected. visiting Uisneach and it was on Uisneach Ireland. All the kings of Ireland were Uisneach was Ireland’s sacred centre. that he was killed by three other gods. said to attend the “Great Assembly“ 8