Loughcrew Megalithic Complex
Location: Loughcrew, Co. Meath
Classification: Ancient Complex
Rating:
The Loughcrew complex is a megalithic cemetery containing around 30 passage tombs and is situated around the summit of three hills near the town of Oldcastle, Co. Meath. It is one of the four main passage tomb complexes in Ireland (the others are the Boyne Valley, Carrowkeel and Carrowmore). The main concentrations are on Carnbane East where Cairn T is the centrepiece and Carnbane West where Cairn L is located. No comprehensive dating programme has been conducted there, but the monuments are estimated to date from about 3300 BC. The sites consist of cruciform chambers covered in some instances by a mound. A unique style of megalithic petroglyphs are seen there, including lozenge shapes, leaf shapes, as well as circles, some surrounded by radiating lines.
There are 31 archaeological monument found within this area. Antiquarian accounts of the area suggest there may have been many more monuments here in the past with some dismantled for the construction of walls in the 1800's. Recent geophysical investigations show that the pattern of monument distribution within the Complex may have been quite different in the Neolithic period.
The name Sliabh na Calliagh translates as the hills of the witch/hag and a local legend which attributed these enigmatic stone heaps to the mythological 'Cailleach' (Witch or Hag) who allegedly dropped these stones from her apron as she jumped from hill to hill in her quest to rule all of Ireland. She apparently fell to her death on the lower slopes of Patrickstown hill but not before dropping these stone cairns in her wake. Not only is the site named after her, one of the distinctively shaped kerbstones on the northern face of one of the largest monuments Cairn T is named 'The Hags Chair' and it is thought that if she had succeeded in her quest then this particular stone would have functioned as her throne.
Description
The Loughcrew complex is a megalithic cemetery containing around 30 passage tombs and is situated around the summit of three hills near the town of Oldcastle, Co. Meath. It is one of the four main passage tomb complexes in Ireland (the others are the Boyne Valley, Carrowkeel and Carrowmore). The main concentrations are on Carnbane East where Cairn T is the centrepiece and Carnbane West where Cairn L is located. No comprehensive dating programme has been conducted there, but the monuments are estimated to date from about 3300 BC. The sites consist of cruciform chambers covered in some instances by a mound. A unique style of megalithic petroglyphs are seen there, including lozenge shapes, leaf shapes, as well as circles, some surrounded by radiating lines.
History
There are 31 archaeological monument found within this area. Antiquarian accounts of the area suggest there may have been many more monuments here in the past with some dismantled for the construction of walls in the 1800's. Recent geophysical investigations show that the pattern of monument distribution within the Complex may have been quite different in the Neolithic period.
Folklore
The name Sliabh na Calliagh translates as the hills of the witch/hag and a local legend which attributed these enigmatic stone heaps to the mythological 'Cailleach' (Witch or Hag) who allegedly dropped these stones from her apron as she jumped from hill to hill in her quest to rule all of Ireland. She apparently fell to her death on the lower slopes of Patrickstown hill but not before dropping these stone cairns in her wake. Not only is the site named after her, one of the distinctively shaped kerbstones on the northern face of one of the largest monuments Cairn T is named 'The Hags Chair' and it is thought that if she had succeeded in her quest then this particular stone would have functioned as her throne.
View all Monuments within this Complex
View all Monuments within this Complex
Gallery
Accessibility Rating: Moderate - Difficult
10min walk up a steep hill and steps.
Located at the bottom of the hill - The Loughcrew Megalithic Centre, Summerbank, Oldcastle, Co. Meath. A82 A6N7 - for more information visit www.loughcrewmegalithiccentre.com
Accessibility
Accessibility Class: Moderate - Difficult
10min walk up a steep hill and steps.
Facilities
Located at the bottom of the hill - The Loughcrew Megalithic Centre, Summerbank, Oldcastle, Co. Meath. A82 A6N7 - for more information visit www.loughcrewmegalithiccentre.com
Map
Directions
Weather
Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise: 05:21
Sunset: 21:29
Directions
Weather
Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise: 05:21
Sunset: 21:29
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