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Strange mythology: the deadly Cave of Cats

  • February 16, 2022
  • Mark Joyce
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Cruachan is located in Co. Roscommon, Ireland. It has a few different names, including Rathcroghan, meaning “ringfort of Cruachan”. Because it contains the Gates of Hell and many well-known characters in Irish mythology interacted with the place, it is a significant mythological site for Ireland. 

Cruachan was one of the six most important royal sites in ancient Ireland, and was the capital of Connaught. Becaise of this, it was also the royal seat of Queen Medb. Cruachan is one of the possible sites where she was buried. The other possible sites include a stone cairn outside Sligo town and Knockma in Co. Galway.

Heroes and The Irish Underworld

©Mark Joyce, Mythical Irish Beasts

Cruachan covers a massive area, and Uaimh na gCait, Oweynagat, the Cave of the Cats, is located there. This cave appears in many Irish tales.

In the mythical story of Bricriu’s feast, Bricriu challenged three champions to a competition to prove their worthiness. In one of the competitions, he released three cats from Oweynegat. Two of the champions fled and hid. The third champion, Cu Chulainn, held his ground, proving himself the worthiest. 

In another story featuring Cruachan, the courageous hero Nera speaks with a dead man on Samhain night. He sees the future. The cave appears in the tale as an underground fairy fort. In mythology, it is one of the most important portals to the Irish otherworld.

The Morrigan

Early Christian writers described Oweynagat as “the Gates of Hell” due to the amount of demonic and ghostly traffic it received. The Cave was especially active at Samhain, a significant pagan festival. Today, Halloween celebrations have replaced Samhain.

Finally, Cruachan was also home to the great phantom war Queen, the Morrigan. The Morrigan of ancient Ireland was three sisters named Bodhbh, Macha, and Anand. Together, they comprised the goddess of war and fate.

Badb ©Mark Joyce, Mythical Irish Beasts

In the epic poem, Tain Bo Cuailnge, the Morrigan intervenes as Cu Chulainn defends Ulster. She appears as a hooded crow, famously landing on the epic hero’s shoulder. It is from the Gates of Hell that she drives forth on her chariot, led by her one-legged chestnut horse. 

Mythical Irish Beasts by Mark Joyce

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  • Cave of Cats
  • Cu Chulainn
  • Ireland
  • Irish afterlife
  • Irish History
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  • Mark Joyce
  • Queen Medb
  • The Gates of Hell
  • The Irish Underworld
  • The Morrigan
Mark Joyce
Mark Joyce

Mark Joyce is a native of Connemara and has a varied background in the arts. He studied in Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design and worked in the film industry in Ireland for a number of years. Mark has worked with leading Irish craft companies as a designer, producing posters for numerous festivals as well. His photographic book A Portrait of Connemara was published by Currach books in 2015, and Mythical Irish Beasts was published in 2018. Its sequel Mythical Irish Wonders was released in 2020. Both books made an appearance on The Late Late Toy Show and continue to be bestsellers. Mark Joyce owns Joyce’s Craft Shop in Recess, Co. Galway.

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