The Hill of Slane was the second stop on our tour of the Boyne Valley with Tour Dublin. The hill rises 518 ft. (158 m) above the surrounding green fields which we could see were dotted with black and white cows. In fact, as we got closer, we could see those cows had made themselves at home right up to the ruins of the Abbey. From the ruins, we could see the Megalithic sacred site of Bru Na Boinne (New Grange) and the Hill of Tara in the distance, reinforcing the fact that the area was considered special since ancient times.
The Hill of Slane has been an important location as far back as the mythical times of Ireland. In the verse of the bards called the Fir Bolg, it is said that High King Slaine mac Dela had been buried there and some believe that a second small mound on the hill is actually his burial mound.
The Hill of Slane has been an important location as far back as the mythical times of Ireland. In the verse of the bards called the Fir Bolg, it is said that High King Slaine mac Dela had been buried there and some believe that a second small mound on the hill is actually his burial mound.
Since the hill already held pagan importance, it naturally became the site of later Christian shrines. In fact, it is written that St. Patrick lit the first Paschal fire on the Hill of Slane in direct defiance of the High King Laoire (Loegaire). The king, who resided at Tara, 9.9 miles (16 k) away, forbid any other fires being lit within view of Tara during the Beltaine Festival (Spring Equinox).
Tradition says that Loegaire was so impressed by Patrick’s devotion that, despite his defiance (or perhaps because of it), he let him continue his missionary work in Ireland and appointed him Bishop of Slane.
Tradition says that Loegaire was so impressed by Patrick’s devotion that, despite his defiance (or perhaps because of it), he let him continue his missionary work in Ireland and appointed him Bishop of Slane.
The Hill of Slane remained a center of religion and learning for centuries after the days of St. Patrick, and there are several interesting and picturesque ruins to explore on the Hill of Slane. The earliest are the ruins of a friary church and college at the top of the hill. The friary was restored in 1512, so what you see now may be from that period. The friary was completely abandoned in 1723.
On the west side of the hill there are the remains of a twelfth-century Norman Castle with motte ( raised earthwork) and bailey (enclosed courtyard), built by Richard Fleming in the 1170s.
This was the seat of the Flemings of Slane, who were barons of Slane and they lived on the hill until around the 15th or 16th century when they moved to a new castle near the Boyne River.
The Flemings were lords of Slane until the 17th century, when, Protestant lords were given Irish lands through what is now called the Williamite confiscations. The Conyngham’s who were a noble Scottish family, took over (some say purchased?) the Slane Castle and lands.
This was the seat of the Flemings of Slane, who were barons of Slane and they lived on the hill until around the 15th or 16th century when they moved to a new castle near the Boyne River.
The Flemings were lords of Slane until the 17th century, when, Protestant lords were given Irish lands through what is now called the Williamite confiscations. The Conyngham’s who were a noble Scottish family, took over (some say purchased?) the Slane Castle and lands.
Wandering through the grey ruins, I could only think of the many monks who would have been busily attending to the Abbey and the family that had shared the mound with them back during the colorful historical times of the Hill of Slane.
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