Uisneach or the Center of Ireland

Description

The hill of Uisneach lies almost exactly at the geographical center of Ireland. Remarkably, a fraction at least of the ancient Irish population was aware of that fact. There is no doubt that the place of Uisneach in Irish mythology, and more broadly speaking the Celtic world, was of utmost importance: Uisneach was – and probably still is – best defined as a sacred hill at the center of Ireland, possibly the sacred hill of the center of Ireland. Uisneach or the Center of Ireland explores the medieval documents connected with the hill and compares them with both archeological data and modern Irish folklore. In the early 21st century, a Fire Festival started being held on Uisneach in connection with the festival of Bealtaine, in early May, arguably in an attempt to echo more ancient traditions: the celebration was attended by Michael D. Higgins, the current president of Ireland, who lit the fire of Uisneach on 6 May 2017. This book argues that the symbolic significance of the hill has echoed the evolution of Irish society through time, be it in political, spiritual and religious terms or, perhaps more accurately, in terms of identity and Irishness. It is relevant for scholars and advanced students in the fields of cultural history, Irish history and cultural studies. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents Acknowledgment Foreword Introduction Notes 1. Centrality of Uisneach 1.1 The Five Provinces Background Uisneach, in Mide The Irish Annals Uisneach: Etymologies Uisneach, in Mide: Etymologies Royal Power First Conclusion Saint Patrick and Power 1.2 Ail na Mireann Background and Etymologies Ail na Mireann and the "Catstone" According to Keating According to Giraldus Cambrensis In the Book of Invasions Pillar or Navel? The Tree of Uisneach? Axis Mundi and Omphalos Pillar or Navel: Reality of Uisneach The Settling of the Manor of Tara Ail na Mireann and the Uí Néill Dynasty 1.3 The Uí Néill and the "Kings of Uisneach" Uí Néill Dynasty: General Statements Tara, Uisneach and the Southern Uí Néill The Southern Uí Néill, Kings of Uisneach Elements of Genealogical Analysis of the Uí Néill Importance of Fiachu Mac Néill Aed Mac Bricc, Saint of the Uí Néill Conall and Patrick: The Colloquy with the Ancients The Colloquy with the Ancients: Difficulty of Interpretation 1.4 Uí Néill and Hagiographers of Patrick Hagiography of Patrick by Tírechán: Background Tírechán: The Uí Néill and Patrick at Uisneach Possible Motives of Tírechán: Political Rivals of the Southern Uí Néill Cenél Fiachach Cenél Coirpri Cenél Lóegairi Cenél Fiachach, Cenél Coirpri, Cenél Lóegairi Possible Motives of Tírechán: Religious Tírechán and the Politico-religious Hypothesis Aed Mac Bricc and Lommán, Rivals of Patrick? 1.5 Stone of Uisneach and Stones of Uisneach Stones of Uisneach in the Vita Tripartita Sancti Patricii Stones of Uisneach in Jocelyn of Furness 1.6 The Killaraus of Geoffrey of Monmouth Historia Regum Britanniae The Giant's Dance Killaraus/Killare Jocelyn of Furness and Geoffrey of Monmouth Confrontation for the Stones of Uisneach Magical Displacement of the Stones of Uisneach Uisneach and Stonehenge Assembly at Stonehenge Temporality and Myth Notes 2. Uisneach in Irish Mythology 2.1 The Nemedians: The Druid Midhe Midhe in the Book of Invasions Midhe According to Keating Midhe in the Dindsenchas Midhe and Fire: Points of Comparison 2.2 The Fir Bolg and Uisneach 2.3 The Tuatha Dé Danann: The Dagda Uisneach, House of the Dagda The Dagda, Druid-god: Connection with the Otherworld The Sons of the Dagda 2.4 The Tuatha Dé Danann: Lugh Lugh: General Statements Death of Lugh on Uisneach Uisneach, Hill of Balor Uisneach and Dian Cécht 2.5 Fire, Water, Sídh Fire and Water: General Statements Uisneach and the Five Streams Uisneach and Primordial Water The Sídh 2.6 The Milesians The Milesians and the Sídh The Milesians and Power 2.7 Deirdre and the Sons of Uisneach General Statements The Story of Deirdre Connecting Deirdre and Uisneach Triplism of the Brothers of Uisneach Triplism: Sons of Uisneach and Slayers of Lugh Black, White, Red Symbolism and Importance of the Story of Deirdre Notes 3. Uisneach and the Ancient Assemblies 3.1 Conferences and Synods Peace Conferences on Uisneach The Clergy and the Synod of 1111 3.2 Mórdháil Uisnigh According to Keating Tuathal Techtmar, Founder of Mórdháil Uisnigh Assembly of Tlachtga on Samhain Convention of Uisneach on Bealtaine Fair of Tailtiu on Lughnasa Feast of Tara on Samhain Synthesis of the Elements Provided by Keating 3.3 Mórdháil Uisnigh: Alternative Sources Irish Ordeals The Book of Rights Taboos of the Kings of Ireland Contradictions of Keating 3.4 Mythological Aspects of Mórdháil Uisnigh The Enumeration of Finn's People The Fate of the Children of Tuireann The Dindshenchas The Death of Diarmait The Legend of Mongan 3.5 Historicity of Mórdháil Uisnigh As Viewed by D.A. Binchy 3.6 Similarities Outside of Ireland England: Killaraus/Stonehenge Gaul: Locus Consecratus of the Carnutes Brittany: Kermaria Isle of Man: Tynwald Scotland: Arthur's Seat? Wales: Pumlumon Great Britain: The Ford of the Ox? Notes 4. Time and Sacredness: Bealtaine 4.1 Background 4.2 Bealtaine and Farmers Notion of Seasons Regulation of the Rural World: Crops Regulation of the Rural World: Cattle Regulation of the Rural World: Settlements Secular Gatherings of May: Hiring Fairs Secular Gatherings of May: Cattle Fairs Rural Beliefs and Superstitions Witches Fairies Counter-spells Fire(s) and the Folklore of Bealtaine 4.3 Bealtaine and Warriors The Warrior The King 4.4 Bealtaine and the Clergy The Druids and the Fire of Bel Mythical Ancestors, Gods and the Sídh Ritual Assemblies 4.5 Influences and Confluences 4.6 Calendar Justification Bealtaine and Midsummer The Juste Milieu: The Just Midpoint Notes 5. Uisneach: Archaeological Data 5.1 Topography and Salient Features 5.2 Ail na Mireann The Rock of Uisneach The Natural and the Artificial Enclosure of Ail na Mireann Earthen Circle, Stone Circle? Original Importance 5.3 Lough Lugh and Water Sources Description of Lough Lugh Tobernaslath Saint Patrick's Well Importance of Lough Lugh Origin and Evolution 5.4 The Summits of Uisneach Eastern Summit: Burial Mound of Lugh? Western Summit: Saint Patrick's Bed 5.5 Rathnew Sanctuary of Rathnew (Rathnew I) Ringfort of Rathnew (Rathnew II): General Statements Eastern Enclosure Western Enclosure Ringfort of Rathnew: Alterations (Rathnew III) Rathnew: Interpretation and Dating Notes 6. Modern and Contemporary Aspects of Uisneach 6.1 Uisneach and the Gaelic Revival 6.2 Modern Folklore of Uisneach Authenticity of Traditions Importance of Uisneach Saint Patrick's Bed Conglomerate of Uisneach Local Tales and Legends: Stone(s) of Uisneach Local Tales: Witchcraft Local Tales: Fairies Brigid's Well at Killare Bealtaine/May Day at Rathconrath Remarkable Absences 6.3 Uisneach and the Contemporary World Uisneach Today: Site Opening to the Public Popularity Fire Festival of Bealtaine: History and Motives Commerce and Traditions A Fire Festival? Contemporary Fire Festival: Secular Aspects Contemporary Fire Festival: Sacred Re-enactments Celebration of Irishness Michael D. Higgins and Uisneach Uisneach, the Fifth Province and the Spiritual Center Notes Conclusion Notes Annexes Annex I Photographs Annex II Maps and illustrations Annex III E-mails 2a. E-mail, Uisneach 2019 Information for Bealtaine Fire Ceremony - Sunday May 5th 2019. Security Children Fire and Safety Prohibited Items: Leave No Trace Damage/Losses Programme Music Holistic Area Yoga Tent 1 Yoga 2 Heritage Tent Arts & Crafts 2b. E-mail, Uisneach 2020 3. E-mail: Patsy Preston Annex IV Chronology Traditional Periodization of Irish Prehistory Tentative Chronology of Uisneach Bibliography PRIMARY SOURCES Ireland (up to the 17th century) Ireland (17th-21st centuries) National Folklore Collection (Main Collection) noted NFC National Folklore Collection (Schools' Collection) noted NFCS Other Irish primary sources Websites: primary sources 1/ Mythology and medieval sources 2/ Media 3/ Modern and contemporary 4/ Social networks and sharing platforms Non-Irish primary sources Website used as a primary source SECONDARY SOURCES Irish and Celtic worlds Archeology, geography, toponymy Websites Mythology and Indo-European studies Folklore studies Uisneach or the Center of Ireland Index