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Donn of Knockfierna

In Co. Limerick the fairy king Donn of Knockfierna is well remembered. There is a large earthern fort on his hill and a number of dolmens known as the 'Giants Graves'. You can see the entrance to his fairy palace.
Donn is the ancient Celtic god of the Dead who rules the rocky islands to the south west on the Atlantic coast. Donn is also known in Co. Fermanagh as the ancestor of the Maguires, whom he helped in their battles. Sometimes he is seen riding on a white horse on stormy nights, when people would exclaim: "Donn is galloping in the clouds tonight". Donn now more closely resembles a medieval Irish landlord than a god. He rules quite strictly but will aid his people when needed. He is also believed to fight against rival hosts in other counties, the winner carrying off the best potato crop for that year.
It will be noted that the fairy queens and kings are in fact the old pagan gods and goddesses 'in disguise' who have long been revered by the Irish. It has been said that the Celtic gods of Ireland had long been wiped out, buried under the sway of Catholicism. Yet anyone who has been to Ireland, or listened to her many folk tales can see for themselves that this is very far from the reality.
The old gods live on in folk tales as the giants of the hill; the Gobhan Saor who built all the bridges of Ireland; the Gille Decair, a clown and trickster; the carl (serf) of the drab coat and many others.
The old deities were once worshipped throughout Ireland, however it is in the west that they are best remembered now, the east having been more Christianised and anglicised, and subject to more invasions. By contrast, the west of Ireland, to which the native Irish were driven ("to hell or Connaught") has held on longer to her ancient heritage.

Maximum height for area: 288 metres Summits in area: 1
OS Map(s): 65 for all tops Set Area Map On






Knockfeerina Hill Limerick County
Cnoc Fírinne A name in Irish
(Ir. Cnoc Fírinne [LL], poss. 'hill of truth')
Height: 288 metres OS 1/50k Mapsheet: 180 for top
Grid Ref: R451 361 Latitude: 52.473995 Longitude: -8.808657
Mentioned in Aodhagán Ó Rathaille's poems and in the Fionn tales, it was regarded as the seat of a deity called Donn Fírinne. It was the focus of a Lughnasa gathering. It seems that Fíreann ('truth') is a re-interpretation of an old personal name Frigriu, with genitive Frigrinn. See Ó Maolfabhail, LECL.
Knockfeerina is the highest hill in the West Limerick area and the 964th highest in Ireland. Our data has reached 0% of the goal for this summit. (Details)