A long life, well lived.
In her later years, Maeve retired from her role as queen and went to live on Inchcleraun (Inis Cloithreann), an island on Lough Ree, in County Roscommon. In the long years of her reign, Medb was blamed for many things, including the death of her sister Clothra, mother of 'Furbaide' Diarmid mac Conor, who sought revenge on his aunt for his mother's death. There is, however, another version of Clothra's death which does not blame Medb, and another sister is given as Furbaide's mother, Eithne, who gives her name to the river in which she was drown, the Inny. In fact most point to Lugaid mac Conor, Clothra's own son and Furbaide's brother as the killer.
But despite this doubt or for other reasons Furbaide determined to kill Medb. He set about measuring the distance between the pool where Medb was accustomed to bathe and the shore on the Longford side. He practiced with his sling until he could hit an apple on top of a stake of Medb's height, from that distance, nine times out of ten. The next time he saw Medb bathing he put his practice to good use and killed her with a brainball. Later sources used 'a piece of hard cheese' in the story to humiliate the great queen, but a warrior described as "The root of all manhood; the assault of overwhelming power; the annihilation of men is he that is come thither" is hardly likely not to have a weapon to hand . Furbaide inherited or was elected to the kingship of that part of the country and is supposedly buried on Corn Hill, just northeast of Longford Town. Medb's son, Maine Athramail (he who was originally Cairbre, and most 'like his mother'), became king in Connacht in her place.
But despite this doubt or for other reasons Furbaide determined to kill Medb. He set about measuring the distance between the pool where Medb was accustomed to bathe and the shore on the Longford side. He practiced with his sling until he could hit an apple on top of a stake of Medb's height, from that distance, nine times out of ten. The next time he saw Medb bathing he put his practice to good use and killed her with a brainball. Later sources used 'a piece of hard cheese' in the story to humiliate the great queen, but a warrior described as "The root of all manhood; the assault of overwhelming power; the annihilation of men is he that is come thither" is hardly likely not to have a weapon to hand . Furbaide inherited or was elected to the kingship of that part of the country and is supposedly buried on Corn Hill, just northeast of Longford Town. Medb's son, Maine Athramail (he who was originally Cairbre, and most 'like his mother'), became king in Connacht in her place.
Buried in Sligo?
Well, maybe, maybe not. Misgaun Medb/Maeve's Cairn in Co. Sligo, is the best known burial site of Queen Maeve, but it is one of three possible sites. According to some legends, she is indeed buried in the 40ft (12m) high stone cairn on the summit of Knocknarea (Cnoc na Rí in Irish, Hill of the King) in County Sligo. The story goes that she is buried upright, facing her enemy in Ulster.
In Bronze or Iron Age burials though, it would be common enough to hack an important dead person apart and bury bits of them along different boundaries, for protection and guardianship. Another story goes that she is buried on the Hill of Knockma (Cnoc Mag in Irish, Hill of the Plain), near Belclare in Co. Galway, which is also where Fionnbharr, King of the Connacht Sidhe, or fairyfolk, holds court. The boundary theory here is less applicable, ancient Connacht probably ranged further south in Medb's time.
Her home in Rathcroghan, County Roscommon is the third, and most likely burial site, with a long low slab named Misgaun Medb being given as the probable location. In the theory of many body parts in many places, this is where her head (the place of the soul, according to thinking of the time) would be. Or possibly her heart?
In Bronze or Iron Age burials though, it would be common enough to hack an important dead person apart and bury bits of them along different boundaries, for protection and guardianship. Another story goes that she is buried on the Hill of Knockma (Cnoc Mag in Irish, Hill of the Plain), near Belclare in Co. Galway, which is also where Fionnbharr, King of the Connacht Sidhe, or fairyfolk, holds court. The boundary theory here is less applicable, ancient Connacht probably ranged further south in Medb's time.
Her home in Rathcroghan, County Roscommon is the third, and most likely burial site, with a long low slab named Misgaun Medb being given as the probable location. In the theory of many body parts in many places, this is where her head (the place of the soul, according to thinking of the time) would be. Or possibly her heart?