Places to go > County Armagh > Navan Fort < Landmarks < Things to do

Landmarks & Monuments: Ardboe High Cross, N. Ireland Beaghmore Stone Circles, N. Ireland Boa Island Figures, N. Ireland Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber, Wales Caerleon Roman Fortress, Wales Capel Garmon Burial Chamber, Wales Carrick-a-Rede Bridge, N. Ireland Chysauster Ancient Village Devenish Monastic Site, N. Ireland Dolaucothi Gold Mine, Wales The Eden Project, England Giant's Causeway, N. Ireland Giant's Ring, N. Ireland Legananny Dolmen, N. Ireland Marble Arch Caves, N. Ireland Navan Fort, N. Ireland Nendrum Monastic Site, N. Ireland Ossian's Grave, N. Ireland Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber, Wales Scottish Parliament, Scotland Segontium Roman Fort, Wales Stonehenge, Southwest England Tre'r Ceiri Hillfort, Wales ................................................. _________________________________

County Armagh attractions: Ardress House The Argory Armagh County Museum Lough Neagh Discovery Centre Navan Fort Palace Stables Heritage Centre St Patrick's C. of I. Cathedral St Patrick's R. C. Cathedral ................................................. _________________________________

Navan Fort Armagh, Co. Armagh, BT60 4LD, UK. Tel. +44 (0) 28 9054 6552

Navan Fort is a pagan sanctuary lying just east of the city of Armagh, and is one of the most fascinating and significant archaeological sites in Ireland.

Dating from the Iron Age, the mysterious remains comprise a large circular earthwork surrounding two hilltop mounds, and appear to have been constructed for ceremonial rather than defensive purposes. Referred to as Emain Macha, the site is believed to have been the seat of the kings of Ulster for 700 years, and to have been founded by Queen Macha herself. Along with Tara, Emain Macha was a celebrated prehistoric royal and religious capital, and became the sacred base for the military dynasty of the Red Branch Knights, whose legendary deeds are recounted in the Ulster Cycle.

The fort was abandoned with the creation of St Patrick's church at Armagh, and today only the earthen mounds and ditches (which are up to 4m deep) remain. Excavation began in the 1960's, and other archaeological remains have been discovered nearby, including the earliest known artificial lake in Ireland. There are splendid views of the beautiful surrounding countryside from the prehistoric site, although sadly the informative Navan Fort Visitor Centre, which once housed multimedia displays, is closed.

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UK Landmarks & Monuments in our Historical monument section:

Ardboe High Cross
Beaghmore Stone Circles
Boa Island Figures
Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber
Caerleon Roman Fortress
Capel Garmon Burial Chamber
Carrick a Rede Bridge
Chysauster Ancient Village
Devenish Monastic Site
Dolaucothi Gold Mine
Eden Project
Giant's Causeway
Giant's Ring
Legananny Dolmen
Marble Arch Caves
Navan Fort
Nendrum Monastic Site
Ossian's Grave
Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber
Scottish Parliament Building
Segontium Roman Fort
Stonehenge
Tre'r Ceiri Hill fort

Other Northern Ireland travel related links:

Northern Ireland hotel
Northern Ireland tour
Northern Ireland cottage
Northern Ireland hostel