Possibly the most impressively sited megalithic cairn in all of Ireland, Miosgán Meadhbha or Maeve’s Cairn sits on the summit of Knocknarea. The huge monumnet is visible from much of North Sligo. The cairn has never been excavated but according to legend Queen Maeve of Connaught is buried within it in an upright position.
There are a few other megalithic structures on Knocknarea located close to Meave’s Carin but they are much smaller and are now lie in a very ruined state.
There is a car park near the base of the mountain where a sign suggests a 45 minute walk to the top. Traditionally visitors to the cairn carried a stone up the mountain to place on the cairn for good luck.
Quite an impressive site! Can you imagine how long it took to pile those rocks that high! Reminds me of the Pyramids. I guess if the people loved you enough, they would spend their lives piling rocks or stones over your grave.
I always wondered, what kind of monument if any was built for those that were lousy kings or queens.