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 21st March 2010
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
Open on Request all year round: Key to Cairns kept at Loughcrew House & Gardens. Call +353 49 854 1356
Guided Service: May - Sept Daily 10.00-18.00 (phone in advance for exact opening dates)
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.

*Please note
Please do not leave valuables in your car.

Admission Charges
None

Contact Details
Address: Corstown, Oldcastle, Co. Meath
Telephone No:   End May - Start September  + 353 49 854 1240 or + 353 87 052 4975
Fax No: +353 41 982 3071 (Brú na Bóinne)