Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is situated in rolling countryside near the town of Sligo. It consists of about 30 passage tombs in various states of preservation (and a similar number have been lost in the last couple of centuries). Anyone coming here expecting something like Newgrange (Co. Meath) will probably be disappointed: the tombs here are smaller and simpler but dotted around a considerable area. Although obviously artificial, they blend into the landscape and the effect is quite atmospheric. Dating is, as always, difficult but there are some suggestions of around 4000 BC, (although this is open to some debate). Let's just say they're extremely old!
The largest tomb (at the highest point) is known at Listoghil (and thought to date from roughly 3500 BC). It was covered by a mound of stones and has been restored in such a way that you can follow a passageway towards the central chamber - a structure rather like a dolmen. (The monuments have a numbering system which is used in the attached photographs.)
Written Dec 4, 2010
Address: 3km south-west of the town of Sligo
Website: http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/North-West/CarrowmoreMegalithicCemetery/
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