Loughcrew Cairns
Ireland · Europe
A hilltop cemetery of passage tombs whose Cairn T catches the equinox sunrise on its carved backstone.
Age
~5,200 yrs
Period
Neolithic
Setting
Megalithic
Art form
Petroglyphs
Discovered
1863
Status
Open Access
Spread across the Slieve na Calliagh hills, the Loughcrew cairns are a Neolithic passage-tomb cemetery decorated with solar symbols, radial motifs and chevrons. At the spring and autumn equinoxes, sunrise light aligns down Cairn T to illuminate its engraved rear stone.
Gallery
Notable Features
- ◦ Equinox sunrise alignment (Cairn T)
- ◦ Solar and radial carvings
- ◦ Hilltop passage-tomb cemetery
Depicted Subjects
Sun SymbolsGeometric SignsAbstract Signs
Plan a Visit
AccessThis cave can be visited.
Sources & Further Reading
Hours & prices change — always confirm on the official site before travelling.
Photographs via Wikimedia Commons — image credits. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.