The Hill of Uisneach (Uisneach)

The mythical sacred centre of Ireland, where the ancient provinces were said to meet.

The Hill of Uisneach (Uisneach) in County Westmeath was regarded in ancient tradition as the sacred centre of Ireland, the mythical meeting point of the five provinces. Great fires were lit here to mark the festival of Bealtaine, the beginning of summer.

On its slopes stands the Ail na Míreann, the 'Stone of Divisions', said to mark the very heart of the island.

At a glance

• Regarded as the mythical sacred centre of Ireland.
• A meeting point of the ancient provinces, in Co. Westmeath.
• Home to the Ail na Míreann, the 'Stone of Divisions'.

In County Westmeath

The Hill of Uisneach is in County Westmeath, An Iarmhí in Irish, which means “west Meath”.

More in Westmeath

• Fore Abbey (Mainistir Fhobhair): A Benedictine abbey in a valley famed for its 'Seven Wonders'.
• Lough Ennell (Loch Ainninn): A broad limestone lake near Mullingar with royal associations.
• Athlone Castle (Caisleán Bhaile Átha Luain): A Norman fortress guarding the great crossing of the Shannon.

Other places of this kind

• The Cliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair): Sea cliffs located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region.
• Newgrange (Sí an Bhrú): A prehistoric monument in County Meath, older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids.
• The Giant's Causeway (Clochán an Aifir): Around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns on the Antrim coast, a UNESCO site wrapped in the legend of Finn McCool.
• Glendalough (Gleann Dá Loch): A beautiful glacial valley of two lakes, home to one of Ireland's most important early monastic settlements.
• The Rock of Cashel (Carraig Phádraig): A dramatic outcrop crowned with medieval buildings, once the seat of the kings of Munster.
• Clonmacnoise (Cluain Mhic Nóis): A great early monastery on the banks of the Shannon, once a renowned centre of learning.

The Irish name

The Irish form of The Hill of Uisneach is Uisneach. You can hear it spoken, and take apart names like it, in the Placename Explorer. The authoritative record for any Irish place-name is logainm.ie.