Navan Fort (Old Irish: Emain MachaOld Irish pronunciation:[ˈeṽənʲˈṽaxə]; Modern Irish: Eamhain MhachaIrish pronunciation:[ˌəunʲˈwaxə]) is an ancient ceremonial monument near Armagh, Northern Ireland. According to tradition it was one of the great royal sites of pre-Christian Gaelic Ireland and the capital of the Ulaidh. It is a large circular hilltop enclosure—marked by a bank and ditch—inside which is a circular mound and the remains of a ring barrow. Archeological investigations show that there were once buildings on the site, including a huge roundhouse-like structure that has been likened to a temple. In a ritual act, this timber structure was filled with stones, deliberately burnt down and then covered with earth to create the mound which stands today. It is believed that Navan was a pagan ceremonial site and was regarded as a sacred space. It features prominently in Irish mythology, especially in the tales of the Ulster Cycle. According to the Oxford Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, "the [Eamhain Mhacha] of myth and legend is a far grander and mysterious place than archeological excavation supports".[1]
Navan Fort is the heart of the larger 'Navan complex', which also includes the ancient sites of Haughey's Fort (an earlier hilltop enclosure), the King's Stables (a manmade ritual pool) and Loughnashade (a natural lake that has yielded votive offerings).
The name Eamhain Mhacha has been interpreted as "Macha's twins" or "Macha's brooch", referring to a local goddess. 'Navan' is an anglicisation of the Irish An Eamhain.
^MacKillop, James (2004). A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-860967-4.
Navan (/ˈnævən/ NAV-ən; Irish: An Uaimh [ənˠ ˈuəvʲ], meaning "the Cave") is the county town and largest town of County Meath, Ireland. It is at the confluence...
Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland. In ancient times, nearby NavanFort (Eamhain Mhacha) was a pagan ceremonial site and one of the great royal...
Ireland associated with the province of Ulster, particularly the sites of NavanFort (Eamhain Mhacha) and Armagh (Ard Mhacha), which are named after her. Several...
only Navan but also Morgallion and Ardbraccan. His building of NavanFort is generally regarded as marking the foundation of the town of Navan. Jocelyn's...
the king of Ulster, Conchobar mac Nessa, at his capital Emain Macha (NavanFort, near Armagh), in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. In modern retellings...
responsible for the construction of the hill site of Emain Macha (now NavanFort near Armagh City) to serve as the capital of the Ulaid kings (who give...
is created. (approximate date) The first dwelling at Emain Macha (now NavanFort) is built (approximate date). Milan is founded by Celts. Capua is founded...
Kings of Meath and the High King, along with the provincial capitals: NavanFort (Eamhain Macha) for Ulster; Rathcroghan (Cruachan) for Connacht; Knockaulin...
Ulster in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. He rules from Emain Macha (NavanFort, near Armagh). He is usually said to be the son of the High King Fachtna...
history Lynn, Chris (2003). NavanFort: Archaeology and Myth. Spain: Wordwell Books. ISBN 1-869857-67-4. The second circular fort "Trelleborg" found in Sweden...
Christians and Vikings who were drawn to this place where an early Irish fort once stood. In the 13th century, Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster...
king of Ulster around the 1st century. He ruled from Emain Macha (now NavanFort near Armagh), and had a fierce rivalry with queen Medb and king Ailill...
significance, though it is now impossible to be clear as to what this was. NavanFort (Emain Macha), another major hilltop site, had a very large circular building...
Newtownstewart Castle Hillsborough Courthouse Inch Abbey Jordan's Castle Monuments and Buildings Record NavanFort Nendrum Monastic Site Tullaghoge Tully Castle...
the Somerset levels, England, have been dated to 3838 BC and 3807 BC. NavanFort where in Prehistoric Ireland a large structure was built with more than...
counterparts", the most notable examples being the Hill of Tara (Temair) and NavanFort (Emain Macha). In many cases, when the Roman Empire conquered Celtic lands...
then to Rathcroghan. Slighe Midluachra, which went to Slane, then to NavanFort, ending at Dunseverick. Slighe Cualann, which went through Dublin and...
east to the River Drowes in the west, with their capital at Emain Macha (NavanFort) near present-day Armagh, County Armagh. According to legend, around 331...
formidable queen Medb, are the enemies of the Ulaid, ruled from Emain Macha (NavanFort, County Armagh) by Conchobar mac Nessa, and their wars, notably the Táin...
to pay". Archived from the original on 25 March 2015. Lynn, C. (2003). NavanFort: archaeology and myth. Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland: Wordwell. pp. 49–50...
stories centres round the royal court at Emain Macha (known in English as NavanFort), close to the modern town of Armagh. The Ulaid had close links with the...
Newtownstewart Castle Hillsborough Courthouse Inch Abbey Jordan's Castle Monuments and Buildings Record NavanFort Nendrum Monastic Site Tullaghoge Tully Castle...
of King Conchobar mac Nessa, who rules the Ulaid from Emain Macha (now NavanFort near Armagh). The most prominent hero of the cycle is Conchobar's nephew...
Global Information
