Cormac's army arrive on the Hill of Knocklong.

The following day Cormac and his army marched the short journey from Emly to Knocklong and set up camp on the hill overlooking the area.
Cormac called Cith Rua to erect his tent. Cith Rua could not drive the Alder post into the ground on the hill and warned Cormac that the ground rejected his unlawful claims.

They could not drive the stake to erect the tent and so they began to build a great frame to support the tent. It looked like they were building a ship and the area is known as Long Cliach / Ship of Cliach [Cnoc Loinge]

Cormac decided that the Hill of Knocklong was too low and that Fiacha occupied the higher ground of Glenbrohane. He demanded that his fairy druids raise the hill above Glenbrohane by magic.

Messengers were sent to Fiachra demanding taxes and compensation but they were refused.

KNOCKLONG is located in East Limerick, 20 miles from Limerick city. The Hill of Knocklong is 3 miles from Emly and about 2.5 miles from Glenbrohane.

The Siege of Knocklong tale tells of the journey southwards of Cormac Mac Airt and his army, and the difficulties they encountered along the way, caused mainly by the druids.

The sage is similar to the northern Tain Bó Cuailgne.

Knocklong was also known as :
Druim Dámhgháire, the Ridge of the Oxen
Cnoc Luinge, the Hill of the Encampment
Cnoc Luinge, the Hill of the Ships
Knocklong in the barony of Coshlea

The village consists of a population of about 700 people. The village is built around Knocklong railway station, closed now, but important historically for the Rescue of Sean Hogan which was one of the first events of the War of Independence 1919. A plaque was unveiled to commemorate the rescue on 9 May 2010.
The Morningstar River forms the southern boundary of the joint parish of Knocklong and Garyspillane.
OS Sheet 65 ref 724 309

The ruins of a 16th Century castle stand on Knocklong hill.
The castle was the seat of the Hurley family.
The Galtees mountains are the dominant view.
Close by lies the Ring-fort of Raheennamadra which was excavated in 1960.

There is an interpretative centre at Lough Gur, 9 miles from Knocklong.
The Lough Gur Neolithic Settlement and Stone Age Centre,
Lough Gur is a small lake around which over 30 ancient sites and monuments can be found dating from Neolithic to Medieval times. Stone circles, including one of the largest in Ireland, dwelling-places, field systems, standing stones, ringforts, crannogs, castles, and a megalithic tomb.

Sli na Slainte map of Knocklong

Song lyrics : The Station of Knocklong