The megalithic passage tomb called the Mound of the Hostages
(Duma na nGiall) is the oldest monument on the Hill of Tara dating back
to between 2500 B.C. and 3000 B.C. The passage, 4m in length and 1m wide,
was subdivided by sill stones into three compartments each containing cremated remains.
A wonderfully decorated stone can be viewed from the entrance gate. The engravings may represent the sun,
moon or stars as religious symbols or maybe the stone was used as a prehistoric calendar.
Drawing of decorated orthostat.
Click here to read more....
Sources:
The Knowth
Mythical Ireland
Megalithic Ireland
Sacred Destinations
Megalithic Complex
Carrowkeel
was one of the least known of Ireland's ancient sites until
recent years. It is the most spectacularly situated of all the great
megalithic complexes. The neolithic monuments are spread across the
highest summits and ledges on the north
ends of the Bricklieve Mountains
in south County Sligo. Carrowkeel is situated on the west side of Lough
Arrow,
overlooking the modern village of Castlebaldwin. It is easy to find, well
signposted from the main Dublin/Sligo (N4) road below.
This
whole area, a good chunk of County Sligo was one of the most important centres of neolithic Ireland. Carrowmore and Carrowkeel are joined by the Uinshin river which flows
from Lough Arrow to Ballisodare Bay, the main road through the thickly wooded region.
It is a landscape rich with physical remains of the ancient past, and
mythical echoes that can still be perceived in the majesty of the locations
and views from the top of the mountains across the plains of Sligo.
Sources:
Dowth the Fairy Mound of Darkness is about the same size as Newgrange and
Knowth and was built in
the same period over 5000
years ago. The mound was subjected to a very unprofessional excavation
in 1847, two passage tombs were discovered but the mound
was severely damaged in the process. The passages tombs are much less
spectacular than Newgrange or Knowth with shorter passages
and lower roofs. Both are on the western side of the mound, they are
referred to as Dowth North and Dowth
South. The Dowth North passage is 14 metres in length; the chamber is
cruciform in shape with an annex off the right hand recess,
the chamber roof is corbelled and is 3 metres high. Click to read more....
Sources:
The Knowth
Newgrange
Megalithic Ireland
Mythical Ireland
Voices from the Dawn
Ancient Ireland
World Heritage Ireland
Fourknocks is a Passage Chamber Tomb built about 5000 years ago. It is located
10 miles southeast of Newgrange between Ardcath in County
Meath and the Naul in County Dublin.
The
name Fourknocks may be from the Irish Fuair Cnocs meaning Cold Hills
or maybe Four Cnocs is a reference to the Four Tombs (Four
Hills). Only the main tomb pictured above has been excavated and is open to
the public. Click to read more....
Sources:
The Knowth
Meath.ie
Mega Lithic Ireland
Mythical Ireland
Ancient Ireland
Voices from the Dawn
