Cormac's army arrive on the Hill of Knocklong.
The following day Cormac and his army marched
the short journey from Emly to Knocklong and
set up camp on the hill overlooking the area.
Cormac called Cith Rua to erect his tent. Cith
Rua could not drive the Alder post into the
ground on the hill and warned Cormac that the
ground rejected his unlawful claims.
They could not drive the stake to erect the tent
and so they began to build a great frame to
support the tent. It looked like they were building
a ship and the area is known as Long Cliach
/ Ship of Cliach [Cnoc Loinge]
Cormac decided that the Hill of Knocklong was
too low and that Fiacha occupied the higher
ground of Glenbrohane. He demanded that his fairy druids raise
the hill above Glenbrohane by magic.
Messengers were sent to Fiachra demanding taxes
and compensation but they were refused.
KNOCKLONG is located in East Limerick, 20 miles from Limerick city. The Hill of Knocklong is
3 miles from Emly and about 2.5 miles from Glenbrohane.
The Siege of Knocklong tale tells of the journey southwards
of Cormac Mac Airt and his army, and the difficulties
they encountered along the way, caused mainly by the
druids.
The sage
is similar to the northern Tain Bó Cuailgne.
Knocklong was also known as :
Druim Dámhgháire, the Ridge of the Oxen
Cnoc Luinge, the Hill of the Encampment
Cnoc Luinge, the Hill of the Ships
Knocklong in the barony of Coshlea
The village
consists of a population of about 700 people. The
village is built around Knocklong railway station,
closed now, but important historically for the Rescue
of Sean Hogan which was one of the first events of
the War of Independence 1919. A plaque was unveiled
to commemorate the rescue on 9 May 2010.
The Morningstar River forms the southern boundary
of the joint parish of Knocklong and Garyspillane.
OS Sheet 65 ref 724 309
The ruins of a 16th Century castle stand on Knocklong
hill.
The castle
was the seat of the Hurley family.
The Galtees mountains are the dominant view.
Close by lies the Ring-fort of Raheennamadra which
was excavated in 1960.
There is an interpretative centre at Lough Gur, 9
miles from Knocklong.
The Lough Gur
Neolithic Settlement and Stone Age Centre,
Lough Gur is a small lake around which over 30 ancient
sites and monuments can be found dating from Neolithic
to Medieval times. Stone circles, including one of
the largest in Ireland, dwelling-places, field systems,
standing stones, ringforts, crannogs, castles, and
a megalithic tomb.
Sli
na Slainte map of Knocklong
Song
lyrics : The Station of Knocklong
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