Sligo landscape and mythology explored in new book Waking Maeve

Seamus McGoldrick has published ‘Waking Maeve: an excavation of Sligo’s landscape, myth and history’, a work exploring the prehistoric monuments and cultural heritage of Sligo, Ireland.

The book examines the connection between the local landscape and Irish mythology, focusing on sites such as Knocknarea and the Meascán Méadhbha, which is the largest unexcavated Neolithic cairn in Ireland. McGoldrick, a former physics student and surfing pioneer, uses the text to weave together archaeology, history, and literature to understand the people who built these ancient monuments and how they continue to shape the identity of the northwest of Ireland.

A central figure in the narrative is Queen Maeve, a prominent warrior of Irish mythology. While local tradition associates her with the great cairn at Knocknarea, the book explores her broader historical and mythological context, including her power base in Rathcroghan.