| Newgrange | | | | Also containing the "Mount of the Hostages", the |
| Constructed around 3200 BC, Newgrange is | | | | Hill of Tara has a deep historical significance that is |
| perhaps the most important prehistoric site in | | | | generally regarded as being the site where the |
| Ireland, and maybe Europe. It outdates | | | | High Kings of Ireland held court, and this was long |
| Stonehenge in the UK by some 1,000 years! | | | | after the passage tombs were created on the Hill |
| It consists of a megalithic passage tomb, and the | | | | of Tara. The most famous King who sat at Tara |
| mound covers an area of over an acre and is | | | | was Cormac Mac Airt who ruled in the 3rd |
| circled by almost 100 kerbstones, which are | | | | century AD. The artwork on the stones, and their |
| tastefully adorned with megalithic art. A | | | | meaning on the hill of Tara like the Newgrange |
| designated World Heritage site by UNESCO, the | | | | sites are open to interpretation, but it is fair to |
| site was excavated in 1962. You cannot gain | | | | say that they may well have depicted an ancient |
| direct access to the tomb, but there is a guided | | | | calendar. |
| tour from the Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre that is | | | | Loughcrew Megalithic Cairns |
| near the village of Donore, County Meath. | | | | It's widely regarded as Ireland's second largest |
| The Centre will afford you a fine summary of the | | | | megalithic cemetery. The Loughcrew site contains |
| historical and astronomical background to the site, | | | | some passage tombs that offer solar illuminations |
| and the tour will take you to the inner chamber | | | | (in contrast to Newgrange Loughcrew experiences |
| for a winter solstice simulation. The significance of | | | | them at the time of the Spring and Autumn |
| Newgrange can be seen on December 21st each | | | | equinoxes) and also contains some stunning rock |
| year; when the sun rises, the whole passage and | | | | art. The passage tombs are well worth viewing |
| chamber are lit up. This solar masterpiece is a | | | | and the views are spectacular. Loughcrew is |
| testament to the wisdom of megalithic man in | | | | located to the south of Oldcastle in County Meath. |
| Ireland and its importance in telling the seasons | | | | Dun Aengus |
| and the calendar. | | | | Located on the picturesque Inismore, the largest |
| Knowth | | | | of the three Aran Islands, situated off the coast |
| The great mound at Knowth was constructed | | | | of County Galway. The site is a promontory fort |
| possibly 5,000 years ago, after the construction | | | | which is bordered by walls on three sides, and |
| of Newgrange. The most impressive thing of | | | | with a huge drop to the ocean! |
| these prehistoric chambers is the work that went | | | | Dun Aengus is located at the edge of an |
| into creating them, with granite coming from | | | | approximately 100 metre high cliff, in an |
| Dundalk Bay, and white quartz from Wicklow Bay | | | | awesome setting with wonderful views. |
| forming the basis of the creation of the | | | | Rumoured to have been built in the 2nd century |
| chambers. | | | | BC, its use was probably for religious ceremonies |
| The tomb has two passages on opposite sites | | | | for the druids rather than military. Archaeologists |
| and both have solar significance at the time of | | | | remain convinced that Dun Aengus was once |
| the winter solstice. The megalithic artwork on the | | | | located further inland on the island but coastal |
| stones shows the importance of Knowth as an | | | | erosion has led to its cliff edge position. |
| astronomical centre of its time, and the Calendar | | | | Carrowmore |
| and Lunar stones are magnificent works. You can | | | | Widely regarded as the largest Megalithic burial |
| take a tour from Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre. | | | | ground in Ireland, Carrowmore, located in County |
| Dowth | | | | Sligo outside Sligo town, once had over 200 |
| Known as the " Fairy Mound of Darkness", it's | | | | megalithic monuments but these have been |
| similar in size to Newgrange and Knowth and was | | | | destroyed over time and only around 40 remain |
| built in the same period. Visitors to Dowth can | | | | visible today. Like Newgrange, some of these |
| drive directly to the site on the north bank of the | | | | burial chambers date back to 3000 BC, which |
| river, a couple of miles from the Slane to | | | | makes them maybe 500 years older than the |
| Drogheda road, and you can discover the beauty | | | | Pyramids of Egypt. Tombs of all shapes and sizes |
| of the peaceful mound for yourself as it is not | | | | are located here, and each with a solar alignment. |
| covered by the tour of Newgrange and Knowth. | | | | There's a small visitor centre, which gives historical |
| The rays of the setting sun illuminate the passage | | | | information in relation to the area. |
| and chamber around the time of the winter | | | | Queen Maeve's Grave |
| solstice. | | | | Located in the same area as Carrowmore in Sligo, |
| Poulnabrone Dolmen | | | | the Grave that is reputed to be the final resting |
| Located in the Karst landscape Burren area of | | | | place of Queen Maeve, the legendary Queen of |
| County Clare, this is the archetypal dolmen, which | | | | the Celtic people. It is comprised of several |
| was excavated in 1986 and it was found to be a | | | | "sacred" stones perched at the top of |
| prehistoric burial area for around 20 adults and six | | | | Knocknarea, and affords wonderful views of Sligo |
| children. It's one of the most famous landmarks in | | | | Bay, and is a must visit for the spectacular views |
| the strange and alluring limestone area of the | | | | alone! |
| Burren. Basically the dolmen consists of standing | | | | Navan Fort |
| stones with a large stone at the top at an angle. | | | | Lying to the West of Armagh lies Navan Fort, |
| The dolmen is a short walking distance from the | | | | also known as Emain Macha. It's widely regarded |
| road and is located 1km north of the village of | | | | as one of the earliest capitals of the Ulster state. |
| Caherconnell. | | | | There have been amazing discoveries made at |
| The area is littered with other stone forts at | | | | Navan Fort, and there are the remains of a large |
| Cahermore and Poulawick Cairn, which are other | | | | Celtic temple that functioned there. It's reckoned |
| prehistoric burial chambers. The Burren is an area | | | | to have been built around 95BC. The remains are |
| of startling beauty, with unique flora and majestic | | | | mainly in earthwork form and there's a visitor |
| sights. An area filled with charm and a fitting | | | | centre there so you can learn all about the history |
| testimony to Ireland's prehistoric past! | | | | of the Fort. |
| The Hill of Tara | | | | |