ABSTRACT
This chapter goes over the various archaeological investigations carried out on the hill of Uisneach, co. Westmeath, Ireland. The works of Macalister and Praeger in the early 20th century and those led by Roseanne Schot in the early 21st century shed light on the site. Here, the general topography of the hill is briefly summarized; this chapter then focuses on Ail na Mireann or the Catstone, the boulder rock, which supposedly stands at the center of Ireland and divides it into four or five provinces. Detailed investigations were also carried out at Lough Lugh, the lake standing at the top of the hill of Uisneach, as well as other water sources, including holy wells. The two summits of Uisneach were also investigated by archaeologists; the eastern summit may correspond to a symbolic burial place of Irish god Lugh; Saint Patrick’s Bed, on the western summit arguably corresponds to yet another burial ground, suggesting that Uisneach was originally a necropolis. This necropolis was later used as a sanctuary then a royal place, as suggested by the study of the “figure of eight”, a ringfort at a site usually referred to as “Rathnew”.
