This prominent hill carries deep historical significance as the traditional burial place of Niall of the Nine Hostages, a semi-legendary 5th-century High King of Ireland whose descendants would dominate Irish politics for centuries. The site’s importance extends well beyond folklore, however; recent archaeological investigations have revealed a complex Iron Age settlement that speaks to sophisticated planning and construction techniques employed by our ancient predecessors.

In 2013, the Discovery Programme’s geophysical survey as part of their ‘Late Iron Age and “Roman” Ireland’ project uncovered remarkable details about the hillfort’s structure. The survey revealed two distinct defensive perimeters: an outer enclosure measuring approximately 400 metres across, consisting of two ditches spaced 7 to 8 metres apart with what appears to be a palisade trench on the inner side, and a smaller concentric inner enclosure of about 270 metres in diameter defined by a single fosse. Both enclosures share aligned entrances facing northeast, suggesting careful architectural planning. Between these defensive rings lies an intriguing empty space, whilst the inner enclosure contains evidence of domestic activity.

The summit area within the inner enclosure tells a story of everyday life in ancient Ireland. Three circular features, each measuring 10 to 12 metres across and likely representing substantial roundhouses, cluster near the hilltop. These structures, defined by fosses or palisade trenches, overlap with a smaller 35-metre enclosure, indicating different phases of occupation or changing uses over time. Another similarly sized enclosure on the hill’s southern slope shows hints of internal features and overlapping circular structures, painting a picture of a bustling, evolving settlement that would have dominated both the physical and political landscape of ancient Meath.