County Armagh Antiquities

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837

AMONG the relics of antiquity are the remains of the fortress of Emania [Navan Fort], near Armagh, once the royal seat of the kings of Ulster.

The Danes' Cast is an extensive line of fortification in the south-eastern part of the county, and stretching into County Down.

The Danes' Cast, Scarva, County Down (Green Collection/NMNI)

The tumulus said to mark the burial place of "Nial of the Hundred Battles" [sic]* is still visible on the banks of the Callan.  (*Niall of the Nine Hostages?)

The Vicar's Cairn is situated near the city of Armagh.

Cairn Bann is in Orior barony, near Newry.

A tumulus in Killeavy parish contains an artificial cavern.

Two ancient brazen weapons were found in a bog near Carrickblacker, where a battle is said to have been fought in 941.

Spears, battle-axes, skeyns, swords, the golden torcs, and collars, rings, amulets, and gold medals, also various ornaments of silver, jet, amber, etc, have been found in different places, and are mostly preserved.

Near Hamiltonsbawn, in 1816, was found the entire skeleton of an elk, of which the head and horns were placed in the hall of the infirmary at Armagh; and in the same year also the body of a trooper was discovered in a bog near Charlemont, of which the dress and armour appeared to be of the reign of ELIZABETH I.

The religious houses, besides those of the city of Armagh, of which any memorial has been handed down to us were Clonfeacle, Killeavy, Kilmore, Straidbail-Loyce, Ballymoyer.

The most remarkable military remains are Tyrone's Ditches, near Poyntzpass, Navan Fort, the castles of Creevekeeran and Ardgonnell, Moyry Castle, and Castle Raw.