Dr. Muiris O’Sullivan

And the reason I'm going on about this is that the Boyne, of course, seems to have been a key factor in the location of these tombs. Because the other group of tombs is at Loch Crewe, over in the western part of County Meath. And these overlook the valley of the Blackwater River, which actually is a tributary of the River Boyne.

So the whole network seems to have been significant, the Boyne, but especially the River Boyne itself. Then the other aspect of this is that the River Boyne flows eastwards through County Meath from Slane towards Drogheda, some miles to the east of Slane. And on its way, it meets a ridge, which caused it to turn south and to loop around, giving us the famous name, the Bend of the Boyne.

So the whole network seems to have been significant, the Boyne, but especially the River Boyne itself. Then the other aspect of this is that the River Boyne flows eastwards through County Meath from Slane towards Drogheda, some miles to the east of Slane. And on its way, it meets a ridge, which caused it to turn south and to loop around, giving us the famous name, the Bend of the Boyne.

So the whole network seems to have been significant, the Boyne, but especially the River Boyne itself. Then the other aspect of this is that the River Boyne flows eastwards through County Meath from Slane towards Drogheda, some miles to the east of Slane. And on its way, it meets a ridge, which caused it to turn south and to loop around, giving us the famous name, the Bend of the Boyne.

The Bend in the Boyne, or the Bend of the Boyne, yes. And this ridge is a sort of an east-west ridge. And on that ridge, the three highest points on that ridge, These are the points at which Newgrange and Nouth and Douth are built. So the landscapes play the key role.

The Bend in the Boyne, or the Bend of the Boyne, yes. And this ridge is a sort of an east-west ridge. And on that ridge, the three highest points on that ridge, These are the points at which Newgrange and Nouth and Douth are built. So the landscapes play the key role.

The Bend in the Boyne, or the Bend of the Boyne, yes. And this ridge is a sort of an east-west ridge. And on that ridge, the three highest points on that ridge, These are the points at which Newgrange and Nouth and Douth are built. So the landscapes play the key role.

Absolutely. And indeed, I think you've touched on something really significant that apart from visiting these sites individually, a wonderful coach tour is to drive along the south side of the River Boyne, the other side of the river, And you actually see the three tombs on the ridges above you, especially Newgrange and Nalthis down now particularly, as you're actually traveling along.

Absolutely. And indeed, I think you've touched on something really significant that apart from visiting these sites individually, a wonderful coach tour is to drive along the south side of the River Boyne, the other side of the river, And you actually see the three tombs on the ridges above you, especially Newgrange and Nalthis down now particularly, as you're actually traveling along.

Absolutely. And indeed, I think you've touched on something really significant that apart from visiting these sites individually, a wonderful coach tour is to drive along the south side of the River Boyne, the other side of the river, And you actually see the three tombs on the ridges above you, especially Newgrange and Nalthis down now particularly, as you're actually traveling along.

And the road runs along the valley of the river just beside the river. The vista from the river would have been very significant and the journey up the river. Of course, the other thing about the River Boyne is that it's a very strong fishing river. And presumably it was like this always as well, salmon and so forth, you know. And eel, I think, might have played a role as well.

And the road runs along the valley of the river just beside the river. The vista from the river would have been very significant and the journey up the river. Of course, the other thing about the River Boyne is that it's a very strong fishing river. And presumably it was like this always as well, salmon and so forth, you know. And eel, I think, might have played a role as well.

And the road runs along the valley of the river just beside the river. The vista from the river would have been very significant and the journey up the river. Of course, the other thing about the River Boyne is that it's a very strong fishing river. And presumably it was like this always as well, salmon and so forth, you know. And eel, I think, might have played a role as well.

It's a food resource as well for the River Boyne.

It's a food resource as well for the River Boyne.

It's a food resource as well for the River Boyne.

Well, in some ways, we know them a lot through the tombs. In other ways, they are mysterious people. Possibly because what they placed in the tombs, they don't seem to have placed in their, to have had in their daily lives. So they are mysterious. If you take something like the Boyne Valley, in spite of, you know, a lot of work has been done and research,

Well, in some ways, we know them a lot through the tombs. In other ways, they are mysterious people. Possibly because what they placed in the tombs, they don't seem to have placed in their, to have had in their daily lives. So they are mysterious. If you take something like the Boyne Valley, in spite of, you know, a lot of work has been done and research,

Well, in some ways, we know them a lot through the tombs. In other ways, they are mysterious people. Possibly because what they placed in the tombs, they don't seem to have placed in their, to have had in their daily lives. So they are mysterious. If you take something like the Boyne Valley, in spite of, you know, a lot of work has been done and research,

Feed working has taken place and, you know, flint working has been found, etc. But really, you would have thought that something as enormous as these great mounds and the work involved in them would have involved quite a large workforce of some kind. And indeed, people to oversee that, all of which seems to suggest, you know, some sort of intensive settlement of some kind.