Fulachtai Fia: Legends of the Mysterious Bronze Age Pits of Ireland

A fulacht fiadh (spelled also as fulacht fian) (the plural form being fulachtai fia) is a type of archaeological feature found in Ireland. Such features have also been found in other parts of the British Isles, and are known as burnt mounds. In Ireland alone, it is claimed that there are nearly 6000 of such sites that have been recorded. The word fulacht fiadh can be found in early Irish literature from at least the 9^th century AD, and that its origins are rooted in Irish legend.

Irish Folklore

According to Irish folklore, the fulachtai fia were the cooking places of the Fianna, the followers of Fionn Mac Cumhaill (known also as Finn MacCool). The Fianna are said to be the warrior protectors of Ireland, and consisted of 50 chiefs who each commanded 27 men. This band of warriors travelled around Ireland, and the fulachtai fia are thought to have been made by them so that they could cook the meats that they feasted on. Another (later) tradition suggests that the fulachtai fia were used to heat water for the warriors’ baths.

Finn Mccool Comes to Aid the Fianna (Public Domain)