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.
Author(s): Frédéric Armao
Series: Studies for the International Society for Cultural History
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 336
City: New York
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
