Fourknocks: Archaeology, Astronomy and Mythology

Fourknocks: Archaeology, Astronomy and Mythology by Anthony Murphy. This A5 book contains 196 pages, featuring color photographs and illustrations throughout.

Fourknocks is the 5,000 year old megalithic passage tomb situated less than 15km (10 miles) from the giant megalithic monuments of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. Excavated in 1950 by P. J. Hartnett, and open to the public, Fourknocks is an extraordinary and beautiful monument.

It likely dates to the time when Newgrange was built, just over 5,000 years ago. There is lots of megalithic art picked and incised onto the stones inside Fourknocks, some of it immaculately preserved.

Apart from the 1957 paper about the excavations published by archaeologist P.J. Hartnett, this is the first book about Fourknocks. Anthony Murphy's other books include Island of the Setting Sun: In Search of Ireland's Ancient Astronomers and Newgrange - Monument to Immortality

Purchase book at Mythical Ireland

Pioneering archaeologist recalled in Fourknocks book

An article from the Drogheda Independent, 8 August 2024

The work of the archaeologist who excavated the Neolithic monument at Fourknocks in Co Meath in the 1950s came in for generous praise at a book launch in Drogheda at the weekend. P J (Patrick) Hartnett worked on the site for two years and on Sunday his daughter Brenda McMahon, along with the Mayor of Drogheda Cllr Paddy McQuillan helped launch Fourknocks archaeology, astronomy and mythology written by Anthony Murphy, at the Highlanes Gallery in the town.

The work of volunteers Margaret White and the late Fintan White, near neighbours of the monument, who have been custodians of the key to Fourknocks, was also praised at the launch. The Mayor quipped that Anthony Murphy had a string of achievements behind him for someone so young (50). "He's a Drogheda man, journalist, historian, photographer, member of Drogheda Brass Band, tour guide, volunteer, mythological expert, runs a Mythological Ireland website, and is the author of ten books," he listed. "His work is so important in understanding the heritage of the area".

He said that the book was the first to be written since the excavations in the 1950s. Brenda McMahon said there had been wonderful advances in archaeology, especially in the introduction of more women in that field. "There were very few opportunities for women in that work in the 1950s and 1960s," she explained. "Although I haven't inherited the archaeological "gene", I remember being brought down the country on "archaeological weekends", something I wasn't that keen on - but went on visits to churches and ruins". "The only regret was that I had not worked on Fourknocks with my father. "By the time she took an interest in those things, it was too late".

She had gone into Fourknocks about ten years ago and she said it was the most unreal experience she's ever had. "It was like going into this beautiful place that was surreal and tranquil and, when you got used to the darkness, was a magnificent place". She remembered her father having a great sense of fun, someone who brought the family down to Kerry where he was so popular because of his singing voice and his story telling ability.

As a parent he was "definitely the softie". She recalled one occasion when at 15 years old she went to him and asked him if a young man could walk her home from the parish dance. "A look of terror crossed his face which I'll remember to my dying day but he said 'ask your mam", she said with a laugh. "He was a very friendly man, very sociable, a great talker".

Anthony Murphy said he felt it wasn't an exaggeration to describe Fourknocks as one of the most important prehistoric monuments in the Western hemisphere. He said he felt indebted to Paddy Hartnett and all his colleagues in the various disciplines of archaeology, anthropology, geology, genetics.

"When people like me sit down to write a book about Fourknocks, we are literally standing on the shoulders of giants," said Anthony. "We are indebted, thoroughly and completely, to their magnificence, and for the slow, methodical and effective way in which they went about their work". The regret with P J Hartnett was that he did not live a long life, Anthony said. "He was a bright star who could have shone a lot brighter, given that chance." he added. "Nonetheless, I hope that the book has done some service to his memory."

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