Faughart, Historic pilgrimage site and ruins in County Louth, Ireland
Faughart is a pilgrimage site featuring church ruins from the 12th century, an ancient graveyard, and multiple sacred locations including a holy well and a stone enclosure dedicated to Saint Brigid. The elevated location offers views across Dundalk Bay and the Cooley Mountains.
The site was the location of the Battle of Faughart in 1318, where Edward Bruce, brother of Scottish King Robert Bruce, was killed. His death marked the end of the Scottish invasion of Ireland and shifted the course of Irish history.
The site remains deeply connected to Saint Brigid, whose veneration has been practiced here for centuries. Visitors can observe how pilgrims collect water from the holy well and leave offerings at the ancient tree on her feast day.
The site sits on elevated terrain and is reached by walking, but offers limited visitor infrastructure. Sturdy footwear is recommended as the ground is uneven and pathways can vary depending on weather conditions.
Archaeological findings and aerial photographs reveal a large crop mark indicating the presence of a Bronze Age fortification dating back around 1000 BC. This shows the hilltop was inhabited and strategically important long before Christian times.
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