Drogheda Independent newspaper, March 12th, 2004

By Fiona Magennis

THE first ever ground-based outline of Orion, the famous "High Man"figure usually represented by a constellation of stars, has been highlighted by twoDrogheda researchers.

A five year project into ancient myths and stories carried out by artist Richard Moore and journalist Anthony Murphy, puts forward the theory that a huge, human-like depiction of a man is clearly visible in the road system that straddles Counties Louth and Meath.

The area covered by the colossal warrior-like individual is called the Barony of Ferrard, which comes from "Fear/Fir Ard", the "High Man/Men", originally Fir Ard Cianachta.

In ancient times, this area was called Muirthemne, which was "the plain Cúchulainn called his own".

The High Man is bounded by the River Boyne to the south and the River Dee to the north, measures 12 miles from head to toe, and is surrounded by and embedded with eminent ancient sites, including the world-famous Brú na Bóinne passage mounds.

"It is virtually impossible to say how long ago these roads were initially laid down, but we do know that certain roads are unusually straight, some of them for miles, and the figure was present on maps as far back as 1778. The figure itself is not a precise rendering of the constellation Orion, but it
does have a very similar form," said co-discoverer Richard Moore. "Whether by accident or design, this human-like figure exists in the landscape, and just as an artistic image alone it is breathtaking. But there numerous fragments of evidence which could support the idea that the "High Man" is more than just a product of good fortune or coincidence,¹ he added.

The archetypal Orion-like figure is Nechtain, also known as Nuadu of the Silver Arm. It could be said that the constellation Orion has a similar silver limb, as his upraised arm is implanted in the Milky Way galaxy which runs past the giant constellation.

In this regard, placenames around the shoulder of the "High Man"could be relevant, such as "Silver Hill".

There is also a townland called "Bohernamoe" in Ardee, which is the old Irish description of the Milky Way galaxy, known here as "Bealach/Bóthar na Bó Finne", the "Way/Road of the Bright Cow".

"This is a new exploration of the mythical and archaeological landscape, and may lead to a revision of how we look at the very intelligent people wholeft these potent myths and monuments behind," commented Mr Murphy.

A souvenir poster celebrating the discovery of the "High Man"is being launched at an exhibition of Richard Moore's paintings at the Martello Tower, Millmount, Drogheda, on Monday, March 22 at 7pm. The poster is B2 size, laminated, and will be priced at 15 euros. Copies will be available at the Brú na Bóinne interpretative centre and online at www.mythicalireland.com

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