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Described by J. O'Donovan in the 1830s (O'Flanagan 1931, vol. 1, 25; Herity 2010, 17) as a 'heap of stones' built over the body of a Shane or John O'Kelly who was murdered there. The tradition records that John O'Kelly, the last descendent of Seán na Maighe, and heir to the half barony of Moycarn, was returning from abroad and passing through Ballinasloe where he had his horse re-shod. The blacksmith deliberately spiked the shoe, laming the horse, which allowed O'Kelly's enemies to overtake and murder him on top of Kilbegly Hill where a cairn was erected to mark the spot (Egan 1960, 86). The cairn was not encountered, but the barony is named after it.
Compiled by: Michael Moore
Date of upload: 24 August 2010
Amended: 22 July, 2014
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
The map shows the centre of the officially named townland area, not the monument. The government record does not identify the exact monument point.