Raith Grainne & Cloenfherta

Raith Grainne is a bank and ditch with a central mound.

According to the writings of the medieval monks of Ireland, Grainne was the daughter of Cormac MacArt an Ard Ri from around 200AD.  In the Chronicles of Clonmacnoise he is described as ‘the best king that ever reigned before himself’ being ‘wise, learned, valiant and mild’.  He is said to have been responsible for compiling many of the Brehon Laws.

However, the love story of The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Grainne reveals the situation that comes with this Kingship, where the social requirement of rulership by Royal Families places restrictions on the members of that family.  Their tale of romance relates directly to Tara and Ireland, but also to aeons of similar situations.  The story may also be symbolic of the movements of the sun, moon and stars when related to the places the two lovers visit.

Cloenfherta South of Raith Grainne are the Cloenfherta, also known as the Sloping Trenches.