Tullyhogue Fort facts for kids
Tullyhogue Fort, also called Tullaghoge or Tullahoge, is a large, ancient mound near Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Its name means "hill of youth." This special place has a dip in the middle and is surrounded by trees. For a long time, it was where the leaders of the O'Neill family of Tyrone were officially made their new chiefs.
This fort is a very important historic monument. It is located in the area called Ballymully Glebe.
Contents
The History of Tullyhogue Fort
We don't know exactly when Tullyhogue Fort was built. But people believe it was important for ceremonies long before the O'Neills used it.
Over time, the O'Hagan family became the special guardians of Tullyhogue. Their burial ground is at the bottom of the hill. Later, Tullyhogue became the main place where new O'Neill chiefs were chosen. The new chief was given the title An Ó Néill, which means 'The O'Neill'.
The inauguration ceremony was carried out by the heads of two important families: the O'Cahan and the O'Hagan. The O'Cahan was the O'Neill's main helper. He would throw a golden sandal over the new chief's head. This was a sign of good luck. Then, the O'Hagan, as the fort's guardian, would place a special shoe on the O'Neill's foot. He would also give the new chief a rod of office, which was a symbol of his power.
The last time an O'Neill chief was officially made leader at Tullyhogue was in 1595. This was for Hugh O'Neill, who was the 2nd Earl of Tyrone. Another O'Neill, Sir Phelim O'Neill, claimed to have been inaugurated there in 1641, but this was not accepted by others.
The King's Stone: Leac na Rí
The special stone used for the inauguration was a large rock called the Leac na Rí. This means 'the flagstone of the kings'. It stood outside Tullyhogue fort. By the 1500s, three large stone slabs had been placed around it, making it look like a ceremonial stone chair.
In 1602, during a war called the Nine Years War, an English leader named Lord Mountjoy was fighting against Lord Tyrone. Lord Mountjoy ordered his soldiers to smash the Leac na Rí. He did this to show that the O'Neill family's power was officially over.
The Leac na Rí was like the Stone of Destiny in Scotland. The Stone of Destiny is now kept at Edinburgh Castle and is used when British kings and queens are crowned. People also say that St. Patrick himself blessed the Leac na Rí.
What Tullyhogue Fort Looks Like
When you first see Tullyhogue Fort, it looks like an old enclosed home from early Christian times. These homes were usually surrounded by two banks and ditches. Tullyhogue is similar, with an inner area about 105 feet wide, surrounded by two banks. You would enter through a path in the inner bank.
However, Tullyhogue was not built to be a defensive home. Its two ditches are quite far apart, with a flat area in between. There is no outer defensive ditch. This shows that the fort was not made for protection. Instead, its design clearly tells us it was a place for important ceremonies.
Tullyhogue Fort Today
Today, Tullyhogue Fort is a popular place for visitors. The local council has made it part of their plans to attract tourists because of its rich history.
Every August, a special event takes place at the fort. Don Carlos O'Neill, who is a Spanish descendant of Hugh O'Neill, and his family come to remember the old inauguration ceremonies. They gather at the very spot where their ancestors were crowned as chiefs.
