Experience
Get off the beaten track and onto an ancient path. Uisneach is a heritage site like no other. Walk the Hill with our expert tour guides and immerse yourself in the culture, the history & the mythology of Uisneach. Meet new friends, learn new skills, or simply enjoy some downtime; the Hill of Uisneach is an experience not to be missed!
The Hill of Uisneach is part of a working farm and on private land. The only access to the Hill is via a guided tour. All tour places must be pre-booked.
History
The Hill of Uisneach has featured in nearly every significant Irish Event - be it political, cultural, or religious. The story of Uisneach is the story of Ireland. From our earliest ancestors to the medieval high kings; from the saints and scholars of early Christianity to the freedom fighters and political leaders of the modern era: All have left their mark on the Hill of Uisneach.
Archaeology
Uisneach is one of the ‘Royal Sites of Ancient Ireland’ that have been shortlisted for nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is a wealth of archaeological remains to be found on and around the Hill, many of which are National Monuments. First excavated in the 1920s, ongoing archaeological research of the hill and its many monuments, have confirmed Uisneach’s ceremonial status in pre-history.
Mythology
"It’s a curious thing to ramble up a hill in the Irish midlands and find yourself standing at a gateway to the mythical ‘otherworld’ but here on the Hill of Uisneach, the thin veil between myth and reality disappears". Uisneach holds a unique place in Irish mythology, where the hill is regarded as the sacred centre of Ireland and spoken of as a place of origins and beginnings.
Ecology
Little has changed on the Hill of Uisneach for centuries. Cows still graze on the Hill, just as they did in the time of the High Kings. From our heritage hedgerows and rare plant species to the other indigenous animals that make the hill their home, it is the biodiversity of the Hill that makes Uisneach such a unique setting.
Bealtaine Fire
The lighting of the Bealtaine Fire on the Hill of Uisneach is one of Ireland’s oldest traditions. In ancient times, a great assembly would gather on the Hill to witness the fire being lit by the High King of Ireland. The Bealtaine Fire is traditionally seen as marking the arrival of Summer in Ireland. In recent years, this tradition has been revived to become one of the key events in the Irish cultural calendar.
