This massive cairn is unusual in that it is located on lowland as opposed to the nearby Carrowkeel tombs that dominate the surrounding area from the slopes of the Bricklieve Mountains. Although far bigger in size than any of the tombs on the Brickleives, Heapstown cairn cannot be seen until you are relatively close by. Having said that, pictures don’t convey just how large this cairn actually is!
The cairn is now surrounded by a circle of trees. Around the base of the cairn many of the large kerbstones are still visible.
In legend, the cairn was built over a well that possessed special healing powers. The well was used by injured Tuatha Dé Danann warriors during the Second Battle of Moytura to revitalise themselves so they could return to the fight. Their enemies, the Fomorians devised a plan to prevent the Tuatha Dé Danann from using the well. Each warrior from the vast Fomarian forces threw a stone into the well until eventually an enormous cairn covered any access to it.