Maeve's Cairn
Location: Knocknarea, Co. Sligo
Classification: Cairn - Unclassified
SMR Code: SL014-076003-
Rating:
One of Ireland's most prominent landmarks, Knocknarea dominates the skyline of County Sligo. Formed from limestone over 300 million years ago, it is located at the western tip of the Coolera Peninsula. Its 320m summit is crowned by the great Miosgán Medb - Maeve's Cairn. Built c.3500 BC, the cairn is a massive, 60m in diameter and 10m high, with a number of smaller cairn/tombs surrounding it. Although never excavated, the huge cairn is likely to contain a passage leading to a central chamber; where, according to tradition, the mythical queen, Medb of Connacht is laid to rest. Miosgán Medb is the focal point of the Neolithic Landscape of Sligo - shortlisted for nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage site. There is no better place to view this ritual landscape than from the summit of Knocknarea. The views from the summit are spectacular with the ocean and the setting sun to the West. To the East, North and South, mountains such as Ben Bulben, the Bricklieve and the Ballygawley Mts (many of them with similar cairns at their peaks) surround this ritual centre.
The Coolera Peninsula in County Sligo is thought to be where the culture of building passage tombs began sometime after 4000BC. The flat exposed summit of Knocknarea was a sacred place for the people who lived on the peninsula, and was likely the focal point for rituals and ceremonies that would have involved a large part of the population. Some of the smaller cairns/tombs that surround Miosgán Medb were excavated in the 1820's and human bones were found in all of them, together with pottery and various stone beads. Most of these cairns seem to face into the centre of the peninsula where the earliest known passage tombs are located at the Carrowmore Megalithic Complex. The mythical & literary queen, Medbh, that the tomb is associated with, is likely to have originated from an earlier sovereignty goddess of the same name.
According to tradition, the cairn at the summit of Knocknarea is the burial place of Queen Medb (Maeve, Meadhbha) of Connaught. Medb was granted rulership over the kingdom of Connaught by her father, Eochaid Feidlech, the High King of Ireland and whosoever should be her husband would be king. Medb had several husbands (and many more lovers) and demanded that they satisfy her three criteria - that they be without fear, meanness or jealousy. These traits were important, as her husbands were often challenged by rivals to single combat to the death, presumably with Medb's blessing, in an attempt to win her hand in marriage. The great 'epic' of Irish mythology, the Táin Bó Cúailnge, where the great armies of Connaught and Ulster clashed was caused by Medb invading Ulster to steal a bull, so she could equal her husband Ailill in wealth. Medb is said to be buried upright in the cairn, spear in hand still facing her enemies in Ulster.
Description
One of Ireland's most prominent landmarks, Knocknarea dominates the skyline of County Sligo. Formed from limestone over 300 million years ago, it is located at the western tip of the Coolera Peninsula. Its 320m summit is crowned by the great Miosgán Medb - Maeve's Cairn. Built c.3500 BC, the cairn is a massive, 60m in diameter and 10m high, with a number of smaller cairn/tombs surrounding it. Although never excavated, the huge cairn is likely to contain a passage leading to a central chamber; where, according to tradition, the mythical queen, Medb of Connacht is laid to rest. Miosgán Medb is the focal point of the Neolithic Landscape of Sligo - shortlisted for nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage site. There is no better place to view this ritual landscape than from the summit of Knocknarea. The views from the summit are spectacular with the ocean and the setting sun to the West. To the East, North and South, mountains such as Ben Bulben, the Bricklieve and the Ballygawley Mts (many of them with similar cairns at their peaks) surround this ritual centre.
History
The Coolera Peninsula in County Sligo is thought to be where the culture of building passage tombs began sometime after 4000BC. The flat exposed summit of Knocknarea was a sacred place for the people who lived on the peninsula, and was likely the focal point for rituals and ceremonies that would have involved a large part of the population. Some of the smaller cairns/tombs that surround Miosgán Medb were excavated in the 1820's and human bones were found in all of them, together with pottery and various stone beads. Most of these cairns seem to face into the centre of the peninsula where the earliest known passage tombs are located at the Carrowmore Megalithic Complex. The mythical & literary queen, Medbh, that the tomb is associated with, is likely to have originated from an earlier sovereignty goddess of the same name.
Folklore
According to tradition, the cairn at the summit of Knocknarea is the burial place of Queen Medb (Maeve, Meadhbha) of Connaught. Medb was granted rulership over the kingdom of Connaught by her father, Eochaid Feidlech, the High King of Ireland and whosoever should be her husband would be king. Medb had several husbands (and many more lovers) and demanded that they satisfy her three criteria - that they be without fear, meanness or jealousy. These traits were important, as her husbands were often challenged by rivals to single combat to the death, presumably with Medb's blessing, in an attempt to win her hand in marriage. The great 'epic' of Irish mythology, the Táin Bó Cúailnge, where the great armies of Connaught and Ulster clashed was caused by Medb invading Ulster to steal a bull, so she could equal her husband Ailill in wealth. Medb is said to be buried upright in the cairn, spear in hand still facing her enemies in Ulster.
Gallery
Accessibility Rating: Difficult
It is about a 45min hike up the mountain using the old pilgrim path/route from the carpark to the southeast. There is another steeper route up the west face of the mountain.
Accessibility
Accessibility Class: Difficult
It is about a 45min hike up the mountain using the old pilgrim path/route from the carpark to the southeast. There is another steeper route up the west face of the mountain.
Map
Directions
Weather
Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise: 08:01
Sunset: 18:38
Directions
Weather
Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise: 08:01
Sunset: 18:38
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