Overview:

Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is an ancient burial ground located near Sligo, County Sligo in Ireland. It dates back to around 3500 BCE and is one of the four largest megalithic cemeteries in Ireland. It consists of around 40 passages tombs, standing stones, and other monuments. It is believed to have been in use as a cemetery for over 1000 years. Carrowmore is also a popular tourist site and is home to a visitor center, which has interactive displays about the history of the cemetery and a visitors’ path. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Ireland
Prominent Features:

1. Most extensive Megalithic cemetery in Ireland: Carrowmore is the most extensive megalithic cemetery in Ireland, with over 60 tombs onsite. This ancient burial ground dates back to the Neolithic era and is regarded as one of the most important prehistoric sites on the island. 2. Complexity of the burial monuments: Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is home to some of the most complex and impressive burial monuments in Europe, such as the portal tombs, dolmens, court cairns, and standing stones. 3. Illuminating the Neolithic Era: These megaliths offer us a fascinating insight into the Neolithic era, providing us with the knowledge of how these people lived, worked, and worshipped. 4. Mystery and legends: Some of the tombs have been the subject of mystery and legends, such as the Gowra cairn, known for its strange double entrance. It is believed to have been created by Merlin, a famous mythological character. 5. Unique status: Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery also holds a unique status in that it is the only cemetery in Ireland that doesn't have any modern cemeteries in the area, making it all the more special. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Ireland.

History:

Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is a prehistoric burial site located in the civil parish of Kilmore in County Sligo, Ireland. It is among the largest and most important archaeological complexes in Ireland and one of four royal sites in the Province of Connacht. The site has been in use since at least 5,300 BC and was the focal point of funerary rituals for thousands of years. Carrowmore is considered to be one of the four main Neolithic complexes in Ireland, along with Brú na Bóinne, Loughcrew and Carrickmines. The most visible monuments at Carrowmore are the numerous megalithic tombs, among them the Cairns of Reed and Tanglewood. The tombs are large corbeled stone structures which have been used to store the remains of the dead. The cemetery has been extensively excavated, with over fifty individual tombs being identified. The tombs are usually found in groups and are often associated with the presence of water, such as the nearby tidal river and lake. There is evidence that some tombs date back to the Neolithic period, with others being of a later Bronze Age origin. Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is an important archaeological site for Ireland, and its presence there helps to connect the area to its distant past. It is also an important part of local folklore and legend, with stories of folklore figures such as Aodh Ó Raghailligh and King Guaire being associated with the site. It is an area of historic and archaeological significance, and continues to attract visitors from around the world. Visit one of the famous monuments of Ireland with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is one of the four most important passage tomb cemeteries in Ireland and is believed to have been established around 3700 BC. 2. Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is the largest in Ireland, with an estimated 60 monuments within its boundaries. 3. Some of the megalithic tombs in Carrowmore are said to be the last resting place of ancient Irish kings. 4. Contrary to popular belief, the structures of the tombs are not made of stone but are actually made from thousands of large stones piled in circles, all arranged around a central chamber. 5. One of the most famous monuments in Carrowmore is known as “The Children’s Grave”, which is believed to be the final resting place of nine children aged between 12 and 15. 6. At Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, ancient tools, pottery, and weapons have been discovered. One of the historical monuments of Ireland, it tells the story of a bygone era