Loughcrew, also called Sliabh na Cailli’. Loughcrew Cairns form the largest complex of Passage Graves in Ireland. .There are an extensive collection of megalithic passage cairns atop a range of hills on the western border of county Meath. On one side of the range of hills are the lakes and lowlands of Cavan, while the other side is border by the Boyne valley and its rivers. .
The Cairns are megalithic structures containing symbolic engravings. Like other passage graves in Ireland, they have clear astrological alignments. There is evidence of many uses during the millenia, but it is generally agreed that they were originally built about 4000 bc as burial chambers. They were excavated by amateurs at the beginning of the twentieth century, when many of the artifacts were removed. A blessing in disguise, perhaps, as recent archaeological scholars have concentrated on despoiling less explored sites, leaving Loughcrew relatively undeveloped and unknown; the best kept secret in archaeological Ireland.
Leave a comment