Loughcrew Cairns

Loughcrew, possibly the oldest cemetery in the world, tells of Ireland’s neolithic cultures, shrouded in myth and mystery. One legend has it that the so-called burial mounds were created by a witches flying overhead and dropping pebbles on the landscape. Sounds hard to believe but who’s to say otherwise? The tombs are located on three different hills. The largest of the three Cairn T has a vernal and Autumunal Equinox which is when the chamber becomes illuminated with sunlight.

Images from the Equinox Sunrise on the 20th March 2009
http://www.newgrange.com/loughcrew-mar09.htm

The passage tomb at Loughcrew: magnificent, mighty and virtually unknown. This massive prehistoric mound is nothing less than the Irish equivalent of Egypt’s pyramids; both witnessed the passage of the dead from this world to the next. As with the pyramids, Loughcrew continues to perplex and amaze; the burial complex in Meath possibly more so - it predates its desert cousins by 2000 years.

Location
East of Oldcastle off the R163

Open

Mid June-Mid Sept Daily 10.00-18.00
Last admission to Cairn T 45 mins before closing

Average length of visit
1 hour

Visitor's facilities
Public car/ coach parking area, toilets. Please note that the approach road is very narrow and extreme caution is needed.

Admission Charges

none

Contact

049 854 2009