Overview:

: Chikamori Archeological Park is a nationally designated historic site located in Ireland. The Park is the site of an early Iron Age settlement in northwestern Ireland, comprising the remains of a large number of round stone huts, a large courtyard, and an area containing a series of pits and low banks. The site is believed to have been occupied around 1000 BC and to have been abandoned shortly after 400 BC. The remains offer a unique insight into the lifestyle and livelihood of early Iron Age people in Ireland. The site has been extensively excavated but some features remain unexcavated, providing the opportunity for further investigation of this important Iron Age settlement. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Ireland
Prominent Features:

houses a prehistoric monument. The Chikamori Archaeological Park is located in County Kerry, Ireland. It is home to a prehistoric monument known as the Chikamori Monolith, which is approximately 2,000 years old and consists of two stones positioned upright and connected by a long stone bar. This site has been designated a nationally significant monument and was the subject of an excavation in 1996. The monument is thought to have been part of an Iron Age shrines, one of the few found in the area. It was likely used for offerings and sacrifices to the gods. The two large stones marking the site are thought to have been part of a fortification, and it is possible that the site dates back even further than previously believed. The Chikamori Archaeological Park is also home to two other monuments, a ringfort and a Bronze Age burial mound. The park is part of the Iveragh Peninsula, a peninsula with a rich history, ranging from prehistoric times to the Spanish Armada. The Chikamori Monolith is an important component of Ireland’s cultural heritage, and provides a glimpse into the lifestyles of our Iron Age ancestors. The site offers unique insights into the history and traditions of the region. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Ireland.

History:

Chikamori Archeological Park is an important priority site within the Historic Environment, which is located near the ruins of the medieval castle of Winters Edge (formerly known as Chikamori Castle), at the mouth of the River Slaney in County Wexford, Ireland. The site contains the remains of a large enclosed prehistoric settlement that dates from the 13th/14th century. The settlement at Chikamori is one of the few known well-preserved examples of a late medieval fortified settlement in Ireland, dating from a period of great upheaval and change in Irish society and land use. The settlement was likely part of the defensive system put in place by the Knights Templar of the Order of the Temple of Chikamori (established in 1185) or the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem (established in 1198) which sought to protect their lands from raids and invasions in the southwest of Ireland. In many areas of the country, such settlements may have protected people against larger threats, such as the dreaded Norman conquest of Ireland in 1171, with a large Norman castle dating to c. 1110 having been built nearby. The park is unique in that it preserves the physical remains of the fortified settlement, including a stone wall, ditches, column bases, and the remains of a number of buildings. The park is also important as it highlights the significant and often overlooked role played by lay people in the medieval period, as well as its archaeological and historical significance. Today, the park is owned and managed by Wexford County Council and interpretive signs have been erected to help visitors understand the site and its history. Chikamori Archeological Park was declared a National Historic Site in October of 2017 and is open to the public free of charge. Visit one of the famous monuments of Ireland with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Chikamori Archeological Park is the oldest archaeological site in Ireland, having been dated to the Neolithic period, around 3,500 BC. 2. The site is well-known for the abundance of stone monuments, including megaliths, stone circles, Stonehenge-type pits and a huge rock-art gallery of cup-and-ring marks and other figures. 3. The site was first discovered in 1979, when a local farmer stumbled upon a chamber tomb, now known as the Chikamori Tomb. 4. Chikamori is the perfect spot to explore the ancient history of Ireland, with ancient burial monuments, stone circles, and earthen walls that offer visitors a unique insight into the lives of Ireland’s earliest dwellers. 5. The site is famous for its wealth of ritual monuments and burial grounds, making it an important destination for archaeologists all over the world. 6. Chikamori is home to several significant historical landmarks, including the famous Chikamori Portal Tomb, which is believed to date back to the Neolithic period sometime between 3900 BC and 2800 BC. 7. In addition to the aforementioned megaliths and burial grounds, the park also contains other stone sculptures such as standing stones, kerbed cairns, and earthen banks. 8. The Chikamori Archeological Park is a World Heritage site, and the Irish Government has designated it as a National Monument. One of the historical monuments of Ireland, it tells the story of a bygone era