Top 10 Prehistoric Sites in Ireland

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

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

[Kim Jurey]

All these have made my bucket lest. THANKS!!!