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The
Carrowkeel/Keshcorran Megalith complex is located
west of Lough Arrow just outside the little town of
Castlebaldwin and is the sight of the largest concentration
of passage tombs in Ireland. These passage tombs (fourteen
in all) are sunken burial chambers made of large limestone
slabs, topped with huge piles (cairns) of rocks.
These
tombs are most usually located high upon hills and
mountains and dot the landscape around Sligo County,
forming a larger network of ancient sites whose mysterious
origin is still largely debated.
The
Carrowkeel complex, believed to have been constructed
between 3000 and 2000 BC, remained in use until 1500
BC. The cairns, built of limestone with interior chambers
roofed with large limestone slabs, range in size from
25 to 100 feet in diameter. The site was used in Christian
times as a burial place for unbaptised children.
Carrowkeel
was rapidly and very poorly excavated in 1911, often
with the use of dynamite, and each of the cairns was
assigned an identification letter. Access is from
Castlebaldwin village on the N4 and is free of charge.
The last half mile is best undertaken on foot and
good walking shoes are recommended. It can take a
good hour to climb to the mountain top passage graves,
where you will be rewarded excellent views in all
directions.
Celtic
Dreamtime Escapes, guided tours - be introduced
to our ancient traditions & scared ways.
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