Battle of Magh Slecht

Overview

Magh Slecht – sometimes rendered as Moyslaught – is a historic plain of about three square miles in the south‑eastern part of the parish of Templeport, County Cavan. Bordered by Templeport Lough to the south, Slieve Rushen to the north, the Shannon–Erne Waterway to the east and the River Blackwater to the west, the landscape is a gentle roll of drumlin hills that has witnessed human activity for millennia. It was on this plain, in the townlands of Bellavally Upper and Legnaderk, that the decisive Battle of Magh Slecht unfolded in 1256.

Name, mythology and early history

The plain’s original Irish name was Magh Senaig – “plain of the hill‑slope”. By the early medieval period it became known as Magh Slécht, interpreted as “the plain of prostrations” because people knelt there in prayer, or alternatively “plain of the monument”. Long before the battle, Magh Slécht was the chief cult centre of the pagan god Crom Cruach. According to early sources, the High King Tigernmas and 4,000 of his followers were slain there in 1413 BC while worshipping the idol.

In the 5th century AD, Saint Patrick is said to have used his staff – the Bachal Isu – to cast down Crom Cruach, an event that marked the spread of Christianity across Ireland. The plain therefore sits at the crossroads of Ireland’s pre‑Christian religious landscape and its early Christian conversion.

Archaeologically, the area is one of the richest in the country: more than 80 monuments are recorded within its three square miles, including nine megalithic tombs, seven ring barrows, three stone circles, nine standing stones, two stone‑rows, 33 ráths/souterrains and several early Christian church sites and holy wells.

History of the 1256 battle

The mid‑13th century saw the kingdom of Breifne split between the O’Rourke lords of West Breifne and their O’Reilly vassals in the east. Both families were drawn into a wider conflict that also involved the O’Connor kings of Connacht and the Anglo‑Norman de Burgh dynasty.

• 1255‑56 – Walter de Burgh raised a large force (annalists claim 20 000 men, an obvious exaggeration) and pushed deep into Connacht.
• Early 1256 – The O’Reillys, seeking to counter the Norman threat, moved westward. A heavy clash at Seltanahunshin forced them northwards where they were pursued by Aedh O’Connor’s cavalry.
• Mid‑1256 – The two armies finally met on the plain of Magh Slecht. Contemporary annals describe a ferocious melee; the O’Reillys lost their king, chief commander and many nobles, ending their bid for a united Breifne.
• Aftermath – The O’Rourke‑Connacht coalition repelled the de Burgh incursion, but the kingdom remained permanently divided into West and East Breifne – a split that shaped County Cavan’s political landscape for centuries.

The battle is recorded in the Annals of Connacht and the Annals of the Four Masters, and occasional skeletal remains still surface in the surrounding fields.

Exploring the landscape

While there are no standing structures marking the battlefield itself, the plain lends itself to a self‑guided walking route that lets visitors locate many of its ancient monuments.

1. Start at the Bellavally lay‑by (parking space on the R200 side road). From here the field is level and easy to navigate.
2. Head north‑west towards the Killycluggin stone (2 km) – the La Tène‑style standing stone linked to the pre‑Christian idol Crom Cruach.
3. Continue to the western edge of the plain where the River Blackwater skirts the drumlins; here you’ll find several ring barrows and a stone circle.
4. Turn south to the edge of Templeport Lough (1 km) for a reflective lakeside walk.
5. Optional loop: climb the lower slopes of Slieve Rushen (3 km north) for panoramic views over the battlefield and the surrounding lakes.

Tips: wear sturdy shoes – the drumlin paths can be uneven, especially after rain. A handheld GPS or a good offline map (e.g. Ordnance Survey of Ireland) helps locate the scattered monuments.

Nearby attractions

Practical Information

Magh Slecht is an open‑air historic site with free entry and no formal visitor centre. The plain is accessible year‑round; the terrain is generally flat but can be uneven in places due to the drumlin hills.

Getting there

• By car: From Cavan town follow the R200 north‑west for about 12 km, then take the local road to the Bellavally area. A small lay‑by with parking space is available near the field.
• Public transport: The nearest bus stop is in Cavan town; a local taxi or seasonal community shuttle can take you to the plain. No train service reaches the immediate area.
• Coordinates: 54° 4′ 48″ N, 7° 39′ 36″ W (decimal 54.08, ‑7.66) – useful for GPS navigation.

Facilities

• No ticket office, restrooms or on‑site café – plan accordingly.
• Picnic areas are available near Templeport Lough; waste bins are provided at the main parking lay‑by.
• The main field is level and accessible for visitors with limited mobility, though some surrounding monuments are on uneven ground.

Safety

• Parts of the plain are privately owned; respect any signage indicating restricted zones.
• Wet weather can make drumlin paths slippery; sturdy footwear is advisable.

Best time to visit

• Late spring to early autumn offers the most reliable weather and the longest daylight for walking the self‑guided trail. The surrounding lakes are especially scenic in July and August.

Further reading & links

• Detailed battle account on Wikipedia – Battle of Magh Slecht
• General information on the plain at Wikipedia – Magh Slécht
• Regional tourism guide for Cavan: Trek Zone – Magh Slecht

Visiting Magh Slecht offers a rare chance to stand on the very ground where medieval Gaelic politics were reshaped. Whether you are tracing the footsteps of O’Rourke warriors, exploring ancient stone circles, or simply enjoying the sweeping vistas of County Cavan, the plain invites contemplation of Ireland’s layered past.