Cruachan

Cruachan (Rath Cruachan) : The cave at Cruachan is an ‘Entrance to The Otherworld’ and is traditionally regarded as a place from which spirit forces and entities emerge. Caves such as this feature strongly in ancient beliefs. The Cruachan region of County Roscommon, modern day Rathcroghan, is rich in locations associated with ancient magic, ritual and religion. The Rathcroghan mound itself is reputedly the remnants of the palace of Queen Medb of Connacht. It was used by rulers of that era as a place to consult magicians and sorcerers, particularly at the time of Samhain. Cruachan was the seat of the chieftains of the Uí­ Briáin Aí­ and remained for centuries the tribal meeting place and symbolic center until late in medieval history. It has never been thoroughly explored by archaeologists. According to Joyce (Irish Place Names Vol. II), its original name was Druim-na-ndruadh, the ridge of the druids.