The Warriors Grave - Remote Sensing and Lecture

Join us to see a community project investigating the mysterious Warrior’s Grave on private land in Garhy, c.3.5km west of Castletown Geoghegan. In archaeological terms, it is a Cist Grave probably dating to the Bronze Age some 4500 years ago. It lies on the summit of a small, rounded hillock at the south end of a pasture field with wide views to the west, north and east. What we see today is a large, roughly rectangular, sandstone slab 1.65m in length, 1.00m in width and 0.12 to 0.2m in thickness, its long axis running east and west (see photo). Its heavily scarred upper surface rests on at least four side-stones, which define a rectangular chamber almost filled with clay and stones. In local tradition, the grave is associated with the last great battle ofTáin Bó Cúailnge which took place in the countryside west of Mullingar.

So, there is likely to be more to the Warrior’s Grave than meets the eye! Could it have been once covered by a mound of earth and stone? Perhaps ditches and banks surrounding the grave? The geophysical techniques that we will demonstrate seek to answers these questions. Wind permitting, we will demonstrate use of kite aerial photography to get a bird’s eye view of the site and produce a 3D model of Warrior’s Grave in its landscape setting. The event will conclude with an evening lecture about the site and possible presentation of the early results of our investigation.

This event is in two parts. You are invited to participate in either or both.

1. The visit and field survey demonstrations at the site of The Warriors Grave.
Time: 3-5 pm. The event is limited to 30 participants. To secure your place phone 0876396716 before Saturday 16th August.
Note no dogs are allowed at this event.

Directions: Make your way to Kelly’s, Garhy, Streamstown, Co. Westmeath (Eircode: N91DN25). The stewards will direct you from there to the site entrance, which is less than 1Km away. At the site entrance there will be car parking. Alternatively, weather permitting; you can drive through the fields to the site location, about 500m. (Be mindful of uneven ground) Otherwise it is an easy walk. Bring suitable footwear, and raingear if necessary.
There will be a Quad and small trailer onsite to assist if necessary.

2. The Lecture. Time: 6.30pm at St. Michael’s Hall, Castletown Geoghegan, located in the middle of the village. (5 mins drive from site). There will be refreshments provided at in the hall at 5.30pm following the site visit and before the lecture.

This project and event is supported by Westmeath County Council, Creative Ireland Programme and Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society