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Category Archives: Megaliths
Deerpark Court Tomb
Deerpark Court Tomb is unlike most other types of court tomb in Ireland in that it has three galleries leading off from its large central court. It has a single gallery at the Western end of the court and two smaller galleries located side by side at the opposite end. Of the three galleries, only one still has a lintel over its entrance, although it has a large crack running through it. The lintels have fallen off the entrances of the other two galleries. As with the Creevykeel Court Tomb there is no remaining cairn over the galleries.
Until quite recently the tomb was surrounded by trees but these have been felled and there are now fantastic views from the tomb to Knocknarea, Lough Gill and of the surrounding countryside. A 3.5 km looping walking trail leads past the tomb and through the woodland back to the car park.
Labby Rock
Labby Rock situated in the townland of Carrickglass is said to get its name from the Irish word “leaba” meaning bed. This is one of Ireland’s most dramatic looking portal tombs. Its enormous capstone must be seen up close just to appreciate the sheer size of it! A walking trail that starts off at the Cromlech Lodge before going through some forestry leads the walker right up next to the tomb.
Like some other places around Sligo, Labby Rock is associated with the story of Grannie and Diarmuid. They are believed to have slept here whilst evading the pursuing Fionn MacCumhail. The tomb is also said to be the burial place of the Tuatha Dé Danann King, Nuada of the Silver Arm.
Posted in Megaliths
Tagged diarmuid and grainne, megalithic, portal tomb, sligo, walking trail
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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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Creevykeel Court Tomb
This megalithic monument located at Creevykeel, just North of the village of Cliffoney is said to be one of the best examples of a court tomb in Ireland. It’s certainly one of the easiest to gain access to, situated just a few meters off the main Sligo to Bundoran road.
The court tomb was excavated in the 1930′s and has since been partially reconstructed. It consists of a large court, which leads to the entrance of the gallery. The gallery consists of two chambers. These were originally covered by a corbelled roof. A long cairn surounds the end of the tomb. Interestingly, the site does not seem to have been used very frequently for burials as only a four burial pits containing cremated remains were found, two in each chamber. It’s possible the site was also used for some other unkown ceremonial purposes.
The court may have originally been semi circular in shape and then at some later stage made into a full enclosed oval shaped court as is seen today. The rear of the tomb contains another three chambers that were built into the cairn. No evidence of burials was found in these chambers. Within the court is a small round structure added in medieval times which was believed to be used for iron smelting.
In local foklore the tomb was sometimes known as a “giants grave” which was a name given by people to many megalitic tombs around Ireland and still used as a term to refer to some of those tombs 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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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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Streedagh Wedge Tomb
This small wedge tomb is located not far from Streedagh beach. A stone circle surrounds the chamber which is now missing its roof slab and over time much of the tomb has become buried in sand. Wedge tombs were usually covered with a cairn of stones now missing from this tomb.
The most striking aspect of this wedge tomb is its location, which has beautiful views to Benbulben and to Inishmurray island five miles out into the Atlantic.
Posted in Historical/Heritage Sites, Megaliths
Tagged megalithic, streedagh, wedge tomb
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Heapstown Cairn
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.
Posted in Megaliths
Tagged battle, cairn, heapstown, megalithic, moytura, passage tomb
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