Farming Rathcroghan

04/06/2026

Continuing Farming Rathcroghan’s enhanced community engagement programme, supported by the National Monuments Service, the Royal Sites of Ireland and Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, Alan visited Clooneyquinn, Killina and St Mary’s, Strokestown, to speak with the next generation of heritage keepers and perhaps a few future archaeologists too.
With local heritage information packs delivered to the pupils, the children can now explore the archaeology, history and stories of their own areas at home with their families. Their parents, meanwhile, may need to keep an eye on the garden and be ready to refill any archaeological test trenches once the search for skeletons begins.

National Monuments Service - Archaeology
Rathcroghan Visitor Centre

30/05/2026

We're looking forward to Rathcroghan's own Mike McCarthy and his storytelling performance of 'Who Shot Queen Medb?' at the Boyle Arts Festival, Saturday 18 July @ 3pm.

It's a wonderful show that had its launch last year in Roscommon Arts Centre. Don't miss it! See booking details below.

👑✨ Who Shot Queen Medb? with Mike McCarthy

Step into Ireland’s rich storytelling tradition with this captivating one-man show from Rathcroghan guide and storyteller Mike McCarthy.

📍 Frybrook House
📅 Saturday, July 18th
⏰ 3:00pm

Blending myth, history, humour and folklore, Who Shot Queen Medb? brings legendary tales of Ireland vividly to life in an entertaining and unforgettable performance.

🎟️ Tickets & info: https://boylearts.com/event-listing/who-shot-queen-medb-mccarthy/

29/04/2026

As part of our ongoing community engagement, we’ve been visiting local schools to share the story of our heritage. This week, our community archaeologist Alan visited Elphin Community College, and earlier he spent time with students at St Mary’s NS in Ballinagare.

Through these sessions, we’re connecting with the next generation of farmers and heritage keepers, sparking curiosity and encouraging them to explore the rich archaeology of their own local landscapes.

We were also delighted to provide resources that help students continue that journey of discovery beyond the classroom.

These school visits are made possible with the support of Farming Rathcroghan, the National Monuments Service, and Royal Sites of Ireland.

A big Thank You to both schools for their warm welcome.

19/04/2026

We are delighted to be the organisers and host venue for the Eighth International Conference on the Ulster Cycle of Tales. The Conference will take place from June 23rd to June 25th and tickets are now available from Eventbrite.
This is a fantastic opportunity to discover more about our ancient Irish literature.
Book now: https://tinyurl.com/546xwkn3

The Heritage Council
Roscommon County Council
VisitRoscommon
Roscommon Heritage News & Info

14/04/2026

Following our success at the Archaeological Achievement Awards at the end of 2025, the Farming Rathcroghan Project has now been highlighted in the latest edition of British Archaeology.

This recognition is a real credit to everyone involved; our farmers, staff, project partners, supporters and local community, whose ongoing commitment helps protect and celebrate Rathcroghan’s unique heritage. It’s inspiring to see this collaborative effort acknowledged on such a respected platform.

Thank you to everyone who continues to play a part in safeguarding Rathcroghan for future generations - this achievement belongs to you all.

08/04/2026

UPDATE: STAYING STRONG THROUGH CHALLENGES

Following completion of EU Just Transition Fund works at the end of March 2026, Farming Rathcroghan has scaled back operations and staffing while seeking new funding to continue its work.
We’ve secured €100k from the National Monuments Service to support the Community Archaeologist and key protection works, an important but partial lifeline. While recent funding applications were unsuccessful, efforts are ongoing to explore every possible avenue.

As Project Manager Richie Farrell notes, this is a period of resilience and adaptation. The focus remains on protecting our heritage, supporting farmers, and serving the Rathcroghan community. Several new funding opportunities are in progress, and we’ll continue to do all we can with available resources in the weeks ahead.

Farming Rathcroghan CLG

26/03/2026

There’s something special about old field names - echoes of lives, landscapes, and stories that stretch back centuries, references to ringforts, grazing pastures, and previous owners.

As part of the Farming Rathcroghan project, we are recording these field names, to highlight their importance, and preserve them before they are lost forever.

There's a field called 'The Droimeann' (Droim Fhoinn) - a cattle field, named after Droimeann cattle that have grazed these lands for well over 1,500 years. On the same farm there's also the 'The Irish Moiled' cattle field. The family who owned this farm in the early 1900's came from County Sligo and brought the breed with them to the Rathcroghan area.

There's a field called 'The Rock's' with limestone rock protruding through the ground. And there's 'The Bull Park', where the landlord kept his bulls back in the day.

Each one hints at how the land was used, what stood there, or what mattered to the people who named it.

If you’ve come across any unusual or beautiful field names that tell their own story, we'd love to hear them.

20/03/2026

As part of our commitment to biodiversity, Farming Rathcroghan has been visiting local schools to install bee hotels and create safe habitats for burrowing bees.🐝
It’s all about inspiring the next generation and highlighting just how important our tiny pollinators are to the world around us.

Photos of Farming Rathcroghan archaeologist Alan at St. Mary's Primary School Strokestown. Bhain siad an-taitneamh as an gcuairt.

17/03/2026

St Patrick’s story in Connacht is woven into the landscape around Rathcroghan.☘️

According to tradition, as Saint Patrick crossed the Shannon into Mag Aí, he brought Christianity into the royal heartland of Connacht, where he encountered the powerful druids of the time. One of the most striking moments in these early traditions is his meeting at Clébach with the high king’s daughters, Eithne and Fedelm.

Coming out before dawn to wash, the two princesses met Patrick and questioned him about the God he preached. After hearing his teaching, they declared their belief and asked to be baptised.

Their meeting at daybreak, on the edge of the royal landscape of Rathcroghan, became one of the most powerful stories linking Connacht to the coming of Christianity.

This St Patrick’s Day, we remember not only Patrick himself, but also this moment of transformation, when the royal daughters of Connacht encountered a new faith in the morning light at Clébach.