Beal Boru: Brian Boru's Fort, Killaloe, Co. Clare
Right on the south end of Lough Derg, where it narrows back into the River Shannon at Killaloe, Beal Boru is a beautiful example of a ring fort, in an atmospheric setting. The mound is dotted with native Irish timber - holly, beech, scots pine and oak. Brian Boru - the 175th and last high-king of Ireland, from 1002 until his death during the Battle of Clontarf (against the vikings) in 1014AD, was born and raised here, or nearby, according to folklore expert Daithi O hOgain. Boru - Bórumha or bóraimhe, means 'cattle tribute, and this place - Beal Boru or 'Béal Bóramha', can be translated as the 'port of the cattle tribute'.
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