- The Curse of Macha at Emain Macha: Pre-Christian goddess Macha, forced to race against the king’s horses while heavily pregnant, won the contest but collapsed in agony at the finish. In her dying breath, she cursed the men of Ulster to suffer the pains of childbirth during the kingdom’s greatest need, a weakness later exploited in the Táin Bó Cúailnge; this tale is tied to the ancient royal site of Navan Fort near Armagh city.
- Cú Chulainn’s Journey Across Slieve Gullion: The great Ulster hero Cú Chulainn is said to have crossed the slopes of Slieve Gullion (Sliabh gCuillinn) on his travels between Dundalk and Armagh, leaving his mark on the mountainous landscape rich with heroic associations from the Ulster Cycle.
- The Calliagh Berra’s Rock on Slieve Gullion: The ancient hag-goddess Calliagh Berra (or Berri), a figure of winter and weather magic, is said to have thrown massive boulders across the Ring of Gullion. One enormous stone atop Slieve Gullion marks her resting place or her feats of strength, with local traditions recounting her shaping the rugged terrain.
- Fairy Lights and Music Between Forts: In areas near Crossmaglen, mysterious lights were once seen travelling between ancient ring forts (such as Corliss, Drumlandrick, and Davidson’s), accompanied by the enchanting sound of fairy bagpipes; these nocturnal processions were regarded with awe and caution by locals.
- The Enchanted Fairy Palace at Corliss Fort: A large ring fort near Crossmaglen is believed to conceal a vast underground fairy palace with winding steps leading to chambers deep below; explorers with candles have ventured partway, and tales warn of abductions, such as a girl carried off on a white horse by the fairies.
Folklore
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County Armagh:
Ireland’s County Armagh is steeped in history and natural beauty, with the Navan Fort, an ancient ceremonial site, offering archaeological intrigue. The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium provide stargazing opportunities, while the city’s two cathedrals reflect its ecclesiastical heritage. Other attractions include the nearby Slieve Gullion Forest Park with its hiking trails and panoramic views. Armagh is Ireland’s fifth smallest county by size (1,253 square km) and tenth largest by population (194,394). Population peaked at 232,393 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 108,815, in 1937. In terms of hospitality, Armagh is Ireland’s 26th most visited tourist county with around 57,000 international visitors per year.
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