Admire, touch, and listen to Emain Macha – Navan Centre and Fort

Navan Centre

Updated On: March 03, 2024 by   ConnollyCoveConnollyCove

Have you ever tried sitting meditation in a pre-historical place? It might seem strange, but you will change your mind when you visit the Navan Centre and Fort. Want to have some fun? Navan Centre is also one of the most enjoyable places for the whole family. There, you can learn about the construction of the Navan Fort in a fun and educational way. These legendary places are indeed unforgettable.

Location of Navan Centre and Fort

Navan Centre and Fort Co Armagh; Seat of Ancient Irish Kings-Emain Macha /Navan Fort Armagh

This ancient attraction site is at 81 Killylea Road, Armagh, Northern Ireland. The Navan Centre is not far from the archaeological site. Check out the following map location:

Behind the Scene

Who is behind introducing the stunning place of Navan Centre and Fort? Who reserves the monuments in their best state and puts the exact effort into enriching humanity with this cultural heritage? Professors and archaeologists from different universities, governmental agencies, and museums have carried out many archaeological excavations for years. In 1961–1971, excavations were carried out by Dudley Waterman.

Excavations

More so, the excavations continued at the Navan Centre & Fort site in 1998 by Professor Jim Mallory of the School of Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen’s University Belfast. His excavations took place in part of the ditch surrounding Navan Fort. Further excavations were carried out in 1994 and 1995 by a geophysical survey led by Dr. Chris Lynn of the Environment and Heritage Service: Built Heritage. Navan Centre and Fort are currently run under state care.

So, get a closer look at Navan Fort and see how people built their structures back when there was a lack of the technology we have today.

History & Construction

Navan Fort Armagh – Navan Fort Archaeology to Celtic Myths

Navan Centre and Fort, previously known as Emain Macha, is a superb ceremonial monument built entirely in the structure we see today throughout different decades.

Furthermore, this ancient attraction site is situated near Armagh, Northern Ireland, and is marked by a large bank and ditch surrounding it, with the ditch on its west side. There are two monuments inside the enclosure of the Fort.

There is a 40m diameter mound to the northwest of the centre and a 30m diameter ring barrow to the southeast. A ring of timbre poles, where the high mound now stands, was built 35m in diameter in the 8th century BCE. It was surrounded by a ditch, 45m in diameter, with an eastern entrance. Then, in the 4th century BCE, a wooden round building attached to a more extensive round enclosure was constructed. That structure has been believed to be a roundhouse with a yard or an attached enclosure for practising rituals.

The Structure of the Building

Various theories emerged attempting to explain why such structures were built, whether constructed initially to serve as a temple or public hall and later transformed into a sod-covered cairn. In 1999, according to 3 scholars, the timber building was constructed temporarily to be burnt for a particular purpose, or it may have been used as a temple before its ritual destruction.

They also claimed that presenting sacrificial offerings to the gods was the purpose of such ritual and that the structure was burnt and buried, for it was symbolically offered to the otherworld. Dr. Chriss Lyn of the Environment and Heritage Service: Built Heritage explained such a ritual, saying that the Gouls, who were Celts inhabiting Goal during the Roman Period and the Iron Age, burnt people alive inside a giant wooden effigy as a sacrifice to the gods.

More Information on the Building Structure

However, from Dr. Richard Warner’s point of view, the mound might be an attempt to replicate an ancient burial. One that was like a channel to the otherworld or the home of ancestral gods and a platform for coronation ceremonies of kings who acquired authority and power from the gods and ancestors.

Until 1985, the site was threatened by the growth of a nearby limestone quarry. Friends of Navan’s, an activist group, efforts to save the site led to holding a public inquiry in 1985. There were recommendations for Navan to be developed for tourism.

In 1993, a visitor centre came to Navan Centre, which featured artefacts and audio-visual exhibitions. However, it was closed in 2001 for lack of funds. Later, when Armagh City and District Council bought the site, it reopened in 2005.

Navan Centre Refurbishment

In 2000, the centre was damaged by fire and was refurbished at the cost of £200,000. Unfortunately, the number of visitors was affected by the restrictions imposed during the foot-and-mouth outbreaks 2001. In addition, the Department of Culture, Arts, and Leisure couldn’t continue supporting the Navan Centre in recent years, but the number of visitors has doubled.

Mythology

In Irish mythology, Emain Macha is explained as “Macha Twins” or “Macha’s neck-brooch”. Moreover, it was the capital of the Ulaidh, a people of early Ireland after whom the province of Ulster was named. Irish mythology suggests that Navan Fort was founded by the goddess Macha, one of three war goddesses in Celtic religion, in the 7th or 5th century BCE.

It was the seat of King Conchobar mac Nessa in the tales of the Ulster Cycle, which is a group of legends and stories on the heroic age of the Ulaids. When you read in the Irish legends, you will find that the events centre on three houses that Conchobar owned at Emain Macha. His Cróeb Ruad or Dark Red Branch (the premises of the King), his Red Branch Knights (the building of the palace in which the heads and arms of defeated enemies were stored), and the Téte Brecc or Speckled Hoard (where the warriors’ weapons were held).

Many of the most famous names in Irish mythology are associated with Emain Macha. For example, Amergin mac Eccit, the poet who fostered Cúchulainn, the great warrior, Leabharcham, the wise woman from the Ulster Cycle, Deirdre of the Sorrows, who was the most beautiful woman in Ireland, and many others. 

Activities for Everyone

Navan Centre is a unique educational place providing a great experience to schools or community groups. It is sponsored by the award-winning Education Department (Sandford Award for Heritage Education). 

It plays a vital role in uncovering the history of Navan County. There, you can get close to the Celtic life of cooking, weaving, or even sword fighting to protect dwellings from enemies through the following activities:

  • They were doing some handy work that gets you to experience the Celtic life. You can cook meals, dress up in Celtic costumes, do some weaving, or even sword fight. Children can get their faces painted.
  • Myths and legends are brought to life through audio-visual shows or enjoyable tours set for visitors. You will be introduced to some Ulster Cycle of Irish Mythology characters. For example, King Conchobar mac Nessa, who ruled from Emain Macha, is presented very interestingly. More information about Queen Mebh, the enemy, King Conchobar’s former wife, and an archetypal warrior queen can be explored. You will also come to know Cúchulainn, who was believed to be an incarnation of the god Lugh, the sun god or storm god. Meeting such living history characters is quite interesting.
  • How about experiencing archaeological discovery with your own hands? Navan Centre enables you to do so in the Archaeology Discovery Room where scanning the underground hidden treasures and finding out how long it takes for rubbish to decay can be enjoyable.
  • Complete the Navan Fort trail to get a prize at the end; it is lots of fun.
  • Kids would enjoy playing on the massive Wolfhound playlist in the outdoor activity area.
  • You can also have a guided map as a lead for a safe tour throughout the Navan fort site.

One Schools Thoughts 

Very positive feedback was reported. Thomas McKane from Millington Primary School, Portadown, says:

“The Stone Age programme was a very enjoyable experience. The children loved meeting the Celtic man and woman. They experience what housing was like through seeing inside the house. The timeline activity was excellent as it showed children the different periods of time. A very enjoyable and worthwhile programme enjoyed by teachers and children alike”.

Check the following links for the latest activities before your visit and for the annual events too:

  1. https://www.armagh.co.uk/navan-2/?etype=upcoming
  2. https://www.armagh.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/NAVAN-BROCHURE-SUMMER-2017-low-res.pdf 

Facilities at the Navan Centre

  • Navan Centre Coffee Shop: If you need a perfect location for meeting friends, go straight ahead to Navan Coffee Shop and enjoy your mornings or afternoons in the comfortable and relaxing surroundings.
  • Gift shop: Contemporary or traditional gifts are found.
  • Auditorium (125-fitted seating): It can be hired in competitive rates and packages.
  • Parking: Free car and coach parking is available.
  • Wheelchair Access: The Navan Centre and The Iron Age Dwelling enable full access and the Fort, but the latter need good mobility.

Finally, thanks to the hands that led this place to be introduced to today’s generations, Navan Centre is regarded a great project worthy to be imitated all over the world to enrich people’s knowledge of their own history everywhere. So, prepare for a journey on a time machine back through ancient history and past civilization at Navan Centre and Fort.

Opening Times

  • January – March (daily) & October – December (daily)

Mon–Sun: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm | Last admission 3.00 pm

  • April – September (daily)

Mon–Sun: 10.00 am – 6.30 pm | Last admission 5.00 pm

  • Early closure on Saturday 5 August 2017

Fees

In Summer

  • Adult £6.60
  • Child £4.40
  • Family £18.00
  • Senior £5.45
  • Student £5.45

In Winter

  • Adult £5.45
  • Child £3.30
  • Family £15.90
  • Senior £4.05
  • Student £4.05

Contact details

Website: https://www.armagh.co.uk/navan-centre-fort/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NavanCentreArmagh

Phone no.: +44 28 3752 9644

Have you ever been to Navan Centre in County Armagh? We would love about your experience in the comments below.

If you liked this blog be sure to check some other interesting blogs you might enjoy: Armagh County Museum | Carrickfergus Museum | Dead Centre Tours and the History of the Troubles | Ulster Museum | Irish Linen Centre and Museum

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