Cnoc Meadha facts for kids
Cnoc Meadha (pronounced Knock-MAH-ha) is a special hill in County Galway, Ireland. It's also known as Knockma. This hill is famous in Irish legends as the home of Finvarra, the powerful king of the fairies in Connacht. People believe that magical things happen here!
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Cnoc Meadha: Hill of Fairies and Legends
Cnoc Meadha means "Hill of the Plain." It is located west of Tuam in County Galway. This hill is not just a natural landmark; it's a place full of ancient stories and beliefs about fairies.
Home of the Fairy King
Many old stories say that Cnoc Meadha is where Finvarra, the king of the Connacht fairies, lives. He is a very important fairy in Irish folklore. People also thought that one of the big stone piles on the hill might be Finvarra's burial place. Another legend says the hill might be named after Queen Medb, a famous queen from Irish myths.
Ancient Burial Mounds
On top of Knockma Hill, you can see two very old stone structures called cairns. A cairn is a pile of stones built by people long, long ago. These cairns are prehistoric, meaning they were built before written history. People believed one cairn was for Finvarra and the other for Queen Medb.
Fairy Paths and Winds
In the past, people in West Galway believed that soft breezes were actually "fairy paths." These were thought to be caused by groups of fairies flying to Cnoc Meadha. This hill was considered their main gathering spot in Connacht.
Some believed a warm, gentle breeze meant a good fairy was nearby. But a sudden shiver might mean a less friendly fairy was close!
Stories from the Past
Mr. John Glynn, a town clerk from Tuam, shared many stories about Knockma. He said that the entire hill was thought to be the palace of Finvarra, the king of the Connacht fairies. There are many legends about Finvarra, but fewer about Queen Maeve in this area.
During a very difficult time in Ireland (around 1846-1847), people faced many challenges. Some country folk believed these problems were caused by trouble in the fairy world. An old man named Thady Steed once told a story about seeing fairies fighting in the sky over Knockma. He said many others saw it too! This shows how deeply people believed in the fairy world and its connection to their lives.
