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Category Archives: Historical/Heritage Sites
Staid Abbey
The ruins of this old church are located near Streedagh. Very little is left of the church, which may be linked to the monastic settlement on Inishmurray Island.
Captain Francisco de Cuellar was a survivor of the one of the three Spanish Armada ships that were wrecked at Streedagh in 1588. He mentions in a letter composed in Antwerp on his journey back to Spain that he reached a church close to where he had been washed ashore. He recounted that the church had been burned and that inside he saw twelve Spaniards hanging, hung he said by, “Lutheran English”. It is possible that Staid, being so close to the area of the Streedagh shipwrecks is the church de Cuellar describes. Continue reading
Carrowkeel – Cairn B
While heading up the road that leads into Carrowkeel the first cairn in the passage tomb cemetery a visitor is likely to see is Cairn B. Situated at the top of a high steep sided ridge, it could be considered one of the more difficult cairns in the Carrowkeel cemetery to gain access to.
Because of its location this passage tomb remains in a relatively good state of preservation. The entrance and the chamber is built into the top half of the cairn well above ground level. A narrow entrance and short passage lead into the cairns chamber. The chamber at first appears to be undifferentiated but there is a slight recess on the eastern side.
The cairn was excavated in 1911 by R.A.S. Macalister. Cremated human remains and shreds of pottery were found within the chamber.
Posted in Historical/Heritage Sites, Megaliths
Tagged cairn, carrowkeel, megalithic, passage tomb, sligo
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Listoghil – Tomb 51 Carrowmore
Tomb 51 which is also known as Listoghil is the largest tomb in the Carrowmore cemetery. It is located in the approximate center of the cemetery which also happens to be the highest point in Carrowmore.
The chamber is situated inside the centre of a large cairn which makes Listoghil unique as it is the only tomb in Carrowmore to have a cairn.
Tomb 51 was excavated in the 1990′s and has since been reconstructed. The cairn was rebuilt and an uncovered passage leading into the central chamber was constructed. Various radiocarbon dates have been obtained from Tomb 51 by Swedish archeologist’s during excavation and it is thought that the central chamber was built over 5,500 years ago although there may have been earlier activity on the same site prior to this.
In the early 1990’s megalithic art was discovered to be engraved on the front side of the roof slab of the central chamber, though this can be hard to see it is a rare example of megalithic rock art in County Sligo.
Posted in Historical/Heritage Sites, Megaliths
Tagged cairn, carrowmore, cúil irra, megalithic, passage tomb
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Cashelore Stone Fort
This stone fort is located just outside the village of Ballintogher. A narrow lane leads to the fort which is located on a small hilltop. The fort is oval in shape and its walls still stand in a good state of preservation.
A cashel refers to a round or oval shaped enclosure sometimes called a “fort”. Cashels were normally made from stone as opposed to the more common Irish ring forts which were similarly shaped but consisted of earthen banks in place of stone walls. The name Cashelore is derived from the Irish, Caiseal Óir which translates into fort of gold.
St Attracta’s Well
This well is located not far from the Western
Edge of Lough Gara and very close to
Clogher Stone Fort.
The well is named after St Attracta who was reputedly baptised by St Patrick. A bullaun stone is located inside the well and water taken from this stone is said to provide a cure for warts. There are also a number of round shaped praying stones, which are sometimes known as “cursing stones” placed on top of the rear wall of the well.
Carrowntemple Carved Stone Slabs
Carrowntemple burial ground is located just south of Gurteen. The cemetery which is still in use today stands on the site of an early monastic enclosure.
Fourteen carved stone slabs thought to date from around 800 to 1000 A.D. were found on the site, some with intricate hand cut designs. The original slabs were removed from site for preservation in 1992 and replaced with replicas that stand in the graveyard today.
Carrowmore Tomb 7
Tomb No. 7 is one of the best examples of a complete burial chamber and stone circle in the Carrowmore cemetery.
The tomb was excavated in 1977-1978 by a Swedish team of archaeologists. The original construction of the tomb has been dated to over 6,000 years ago. The team found cremated human bone inside the burial chamber. They also found fragments of antler pins, a stone ball and a flint arrowhead.
On a clear day there are fantastic views towards Knocknarea in the Western part of the Cúil Irra peninsula from here.
Posted in Historical/Heritage Sites, Megaliths
Tagged carrowmore, cúil irra, megalithic, passage tomb
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Clogher Stone Fort
Clogher stone fort or Cashelmore is a well preserved cashel located near the village of Monasteraden.
The large round interior of the fort contains excellent examples of typical souterrains. Souterrains are a common feature of Irish ringforts and cashels but few remain in such a good state of repair as these. There are also a number of stone stairways built into the inner wall of the fort.
Miosgán Meadhbha (Maeve’s Cairn)
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.
Posted in Historical/Heritage Sites, Megaliths
Tagged cairn, cúil irra, knocknarea, megalithic
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