Faughart
Faughart is a town in County Louth, Ireland, situated between Forkill and Dundalk. It was the birthplace of St. Brigid (450), and Edward Bruce is buried in the graveyard on the hill above the town (54°03′06″N 6°23′03″W / 54.0516226°N 6.3842583°W). Bruce, who had taken the title King of Ireland, was defeated and killed at the Battle of Faughart in 1318.
Standing at the southern end of the Gap of the North/Moyry Pass Faughart (also written 'Fochart') held huge strategic importance for many centuries and was the scene of many battles.
It was the site of one legendary battle fought by Cú Chulainn on the Táin. In 732, the King of Ulaidh, Áed Róin, was defeated by the Northern Uí Néill and his head was cut off on the 'Stone of Decapitation' (Cloch an Commaigh) which is located near the door of the old church of Faughart, after a defeat in battle 'Torad penne Congusa'. Other landmarks include St. Brigid's stone and pillar, her shrine and well, and modern religious sites devoted to the saint that attract thousands of pilgrims and tourists which is a massive boost to the local economy.
Sources
- Foster, R.F. The Oxford Illustrated History of Ireland. Oxford University Press, 2001, p. 83 online.
- Lehane, Brendan. The Companion Guide to Ireland. Companion Guides, 2001, p. 458 online.
- Lewis, Samuel. A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, vol 2. London 1837. Full text downloadable.
- Saint Brigid’s Shrine & Well Faughart, with map
Coordinates: 54°2′35″N 6°23′5″W / 54.04306°N 6.38472°W