EMANIA ( "THE NAVAN "), RESIDENCE OF THE KINGS OF ULSTER FOR SEVEN HUNDRED YEARS.

HE remains of the earthworks belonging to the famous royal residence of Emania are still extensive. At one time they encircled twelve acres, and within this space the Kings of the line of Ir had their palaces during a period of 700 years. Ir was one of the sons of Milesians, of Spain, also called Gael from a remote ancestor, and Scoti, from Scota, mother of Milesius. The Milesians conquered the Tuatha da Danans, and two of the sons of Milesius, Heber and Heremhon, divided the country between them. Jealousy speedily resulted from their use of the kingly power. A battle followed, and Heber was slain. Heremhon then became King of Ireland.
By a slight addition to the original Irish word from which Emania has been evolved, the pronunciation easily suggests Navan

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The inhabitants of the district, and also those of the City of Armagh, two miles to the east, know it as The Navan. A green fort, surrounded by a hawthorn hedge, stands near the part of the entrenchment that continues intact. It bears evidence of having been frequently explored by antiquaries. There was a second mound at a lower elevation. The view from the summit of the one remaining takes in the principal features of a wide range. It was, of course, much higher when first constructed, and was a splendid point from which to estimate the strength of an approaching enemy.
It is believed that the first palace was erected at Emania either by Cimbaoth, King of Ireland, in the year of the world 3603, [AM] or by his consort, Queen Macha. Cimbaoth and his two cousins, Aed Ruadh and Dihorba, were the sons of three princes, brothers. One of the number was entitled to become king, but owing to the vigor of the fight made by all for the possession of the crown, an understanding was ultimately arrived at, according to which each was to rule during a term of seven years. After having completed two terms, and almost a third, Aed Ruadh was drowned. His only child was a daughter, Macha. She appears to have inherited her father 's courage and warlike disposition, and boldly asserted her right to share in the government of the kingdom as he had done. Her cousins having declined to seriously consider her claim, she decided to enforce it in battle. She was beautiful as well as valiant, and the novelty of the contention, no doubt, attracted to her standard the most chivalrous of the subjects. The result was the defeat of Cimbaoth and Dihorba. Dihorba lost his life in the encounter, and a truce having been proclaimed, Cimbaoth gallantly offered his hand and heart to Macha. As queen she probably shared in the rule of Cimbaoth, and after his death became supreme.
The famous Red Branch Knights were quartered in an enclosure near Emania, and went forth from there to uphold the dignity of the King of Ulster, and spread terror among his foes. Within the camp which they occupied there was a house called " The Soldier 's Sorrow" for the treatment of the wounded.

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In 332, A.D., the palaces of Emania were destroyed by the Collas, who had, during the same year, defeated and slain Fergus Fodha, last of the Irian Kings. One of the Collas had been King of Ireland through usurpation. In 315 he slew his uncle Friachadh in battle, and was proclaimed in his stead. Four years later Muireadhach, son of Friachadh, at the head of a formidable army, attacked Colla, and drove him into exile, with his two brothers. A few years ' residence at the Court of the King of Scotland made him so weary that the prospect of immediate death in his own land seemed more agreeable than a continued life of inactivity. Moreover, it had been prophesied that if he or his brothers should be put to death by the King of Ireland, their descendants would come to the throne. They returned, and surrendered to Muireadhach, making pretence of being no longer able to bear the remorse occasioned by thoughts of the wickedness which had stimulated them to murder his father. Muireadhach was aware of the prophecy concerning the change of dynasty, and was not sufficiently revengeful to take the chances for its fulfilment. He received the three princes in a kindly spirit, and won their respect by assigning them posts of importance in the Federal Army, with revenues in proportion. Having taken a little time for reflection it struck the King that the constant presence of the brothers might eventually work his own ruin. In this belief he promptly decided to set them upon Fergus, King of Ulster, who had burned the beard of one of Muireadhach 's kinsmen. With the outrage as a pretext, the Collas marched from Tara against Fergus, receiving on the way contingents of his disaffected subjects, until their forces were swelled to the importance of a, corps d 'armee. They encountered Fergus in a part of the present County Monaghan, and overthrew him after a battle continued for seven days successively. One of the Collas also lost his life in the struggle The other two seized and destroyed Emania, and ruled conjointly in the conquered territory. The ruined palace never was rebuilt.
A " ground plan and sections of Navan Fort," drawn by Mr. J. C. McBride, C.E., Armagh, was published in the "Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland for July, 1884, in connection with an exceedingly interesting paper, descriptive of Emania, by the Rev. John Elliott, Armagh.