Ancient Sites in Ireland
All of these neolithic sites are close to where we live in Kells. We are lucky enough to be only three-quarters of an hours drive from the Boyne Valley Complex to our east, and the Lough Crew Range to our West.
Boyne Valley Complex | Lough Crew Range | Other Sites
Boyne Valley Complex
Probably one of the most well know areas of ancient sites in the whole of Ireland, the Boyne Valley has NewGrange, Knowth, Dowth and several other ancient sites all together in one area. New Grange is the most famous of these, being well known for it's alignment with the Winter Solstice (Yule). One site, which is rarely visited, which is also part of this complex is Four Knocks Chambered Tomb. This is to the South of the other three sites, hiding within the hills of County Lough.
New Grange
New Grange (Brugh na Boinne) viewed from the road showing its remarkable quartz fronting.
The Entrance Stone (Above) is famous for its intricate spiral carvings. Nobody has really been able to decipher their meaning, although there are many theories. Our favourite is that they show a map of the Boyne Valley itself with the location of all the sacred sites.
The stone above is positioned close to the road and is believed to be a Guardian Stone placed there to protect the dead interned within the tomb. It repeats the same patterns found on the entrance stone.
This Basin Stone (Above) is found within the tomb itself. The burnt and powdered remains of the dead were placed on it. The spiral patterns familiar to the site are found on the rear wall and above it, as are intricate 'zig-zag' patterns.
This is the Ceiling of the Tomb if you were to look directly up. There are over 100 tons of stone used to make this roof, and it is affectionately know as 'the driest roof in Ireland'.
This is the entrance showing the stone, with the 'light box' above the doorway. This allows a stream of light to pass down the chamber once a year at Winter Solstice.
Knowth
Knowth can be found less than 2 miles from NewGrange. It is a large Chambered Tomb similar to NewGrange, but it is surrounded by several smaller Tombs all in close vicinity. Some of these tombs are actually connected to the Main Tomb by passage ways and Souterraines.
The smaller Tombs are all identical replicas of the larger Main Tomb. Knowth has had an eventful history; it has built upon by several different cultures from the early neolithic peoples of the Boyne Valley right through to the Normans. It was early Celtic Christians who built the Souterraines (see Above).
Both Horse Shoes patterns and Spirals (see Above), can be found on the stones at Knowth. Archeologist's have still not been able to decipher their meaning. It is very likely, that like Carn Bane East, and NewGrange that they have some Astronomical or Geographical meaning. The Horse Shoes could be interpreted as Lunar.
One other unusual thing about Knowth, which sets it apart from NewGrange is that it had TWO entrances rather than one.
Four Knocks Chambered Tomb
This Chambered Tomb is one of the least visited sites of the Boyne Valley Complex infact, many aren't even aware of it being part of the complex because of it's distance from the main sites. At first glances it does not appear to be very interesting; from the outside! But inside it is unique.
What make the Tomb unusual is it's internal size (see Above). It is at least 30 ft across in diameter forming a perfect circle. It still has the cross structure formed by the entrance and three burial portals, and is similar in this respect to the other structures found around Western Europe. It is believed to have been built during the same period as NewGrange, but the roof collapsed due to weight very shortly,1000 years or so after it was build due to it's unique structure.
All the Portals have the same designs as NewGrange and Knowth, the Spirals of the rear walls, and the Lozenge/Zig patterns on the Lintels above each.
Lough Crew Range
Lough Crew has several neo-lithic sites of interest spread across the hills and valleys on the borders between Co. Meath, Co. Cavan and Co. West Meath. The two major hills hold Carn Bane East and Carn Bane West - these are some of the oldest neo-lithic remains in the whole of Ireland.
Carn Bane East
Carn Bane East is situated on the hill known as 'Sliabh na Callaighe' or 'the Hill of the Witch'; not surprisingly we have strong affinities with this ancient site and visit it often. It is believed to have been built around 3,500BC, predating New Grange by at least 500 years. It may infact have been the blueprint for it, considering its structure.
The Entrance way is similar in form to that of NewGrange, being serpentine and having stone lintels both top and bottom of the passage. Spiral patterns similar to those in NewGrange and Knowth can be found.
There are also several other patterns which are interesting. These are 'flower' and 'star' patterns. It is believed these are astronomical and indicate certain times of the year when the Tomb was used. These would make a lot of sense as the Tomb was aligned with Spring Equinox (Ostara).
The main Chambered Tomb is surrounded by the remains of much smaller tombs, now in ruins. It must have once resembled the complex at Knowth, which it has a lot in common with. Like Knowth and NewGrange, the familiar spiral patterns are also present on these stones.
Stones were placed around the outside of the smaller Chambered Tombs to prevent soil erosion, but over 5,500 years this has not prevented it. This has resulted in several 'Stone Circles' being present on Sliabh na Callaighe.
Carn Bane West
Many consider the tombs of Carn Bane West to be more spectacular than those on the neighbouring hill. There are certainly more of them, and the majority are in better condition.
Like Carn Bane East their is only really one tomb which is completely intact, and like the Callaighe, it was reconstructed by archeologists in the last few decades. One large tomb is completely destroyed. This was the work of the Order of British Israelites who believed the Ark of the Covenant was buried beneath it. They dynamited it resulting in the loss of one of the most intact cairns in Northern Europe.
Most cairns have lost their roofs showing clearly the standard cruciform pattern found throughout Ireland
So far thirteen cairns have been found on Carn Bane West making it one of the largest collections of such burial mounds in the British Isles. As well as the cairns there is also one ring fort, less than a thousand yards from the site on an over looking promitory.
Like the re-constructed Cairn on Carn Bane East, the Cairns on West show the same designs of Spirals and lozenges. These are easiest to see on the reconstructed cairn, where the stones have had the least weathering. Many believe these designs were astronomical, giving the agricultural builders information on when to plant and sow. Many seem to correlate with both solar and lunar calendars.
The Whispering Stones
The Whispering Stones can be found to the North East of Slieve na Callaighe. They are a line of neolithic stones found stretching across the field; they are of an earlier date to the Chambered Tomb of Carn Bane East.
There are several local myths attached to these stones, the most important one being that they are three prophetesses who have been turned to stone. It is said that if you approach them on a moon lit night they will come alive and will answer any three questions that you ask of them.
Other Sites
Tlaghta
Tlaghta or The Hill of Ward is just outside of Athboy, Co. Meath. It is a twenty minute drive from our home in Ethelstown, and consists of a ring fort in a farmers field. This is a site which is often ignored, but of great historical importance. It was traditionally the site where the first Samhain fire was lit to commemorate the end of the waxing year. It is named after Tlaghta, the ancient Irish Goddess of Witchcraft. The Irish monks did their best to eradicate the memory of this Goddess from Ireland, but it was impossible to remove her memory completely. There are many similarities between Tlaghta and Aradia; both were based on historical individuals who thought against the repression of Christianity. It is said that Tlaghtas' father was a great druid, and she went with him to join Simon Magus to fight Christianity. This is actually a relatively modern myth and it is very likely that Tlaghta was one of the original pre-celtic deities of Ireland.
Tara
Tara Hill can be found on the Dublin to Cavan road between Dunshaughlin and Navan. It is traditionally the seats of both the Arch-Druid and the High King. Several ring enclosures remain, as does one Chambered Tomb; the Mound of the Hostages.
The 'Cernunnos Stone' can be found in the churchyard as you approach Tara. It has become badly weathered over the years, and now very little can be seen of the horned figure, which has become covered in lichens and mosses.
The Mound of the Hostages is the most prominent structure on Tara. It is in fact a neolithic Chambered Tomb similar to those found right across Ireland. Like the structures found in the Lough Crew Range it is aligned to the Spring Equinox.
The stones within The Mound of the Hostages (Above) actually have the same patterns as found in Carn Bane East on Sliabh na Callaighe; the 'spirals' and 'flower' patterns. Also found on Tara Hill is The Lia Fail (Below), The Stone of Destiny. It is said that it will scream if the rightful High King of Ireland touches it!
St. Kierans Wells
St.Kierans Wells are approximately 5 minutes drive from our home in Ethelstown. They are a group of three sacred Wells whose use date back to the time of the construction of the Lough Crew Range. They were adopted by Christianity in the 4th Century. The myth of the Wells is that St. Kieran (who took on the attributes of the God Lugh) was told to build his monastery close to the Wells, at Castlekieran, by a Boar, a Salmon and a Stag; these of course, being the totem animals of the three major Pagan deities of this area.
Tara Hill can be found on the Dublin to Cavan road between Dunshaughlin and Navan. It is traditionally the seats of both the Arch-Druid and the High King. Several ring enclosures remain, as does one Chambered Tomb; the Mound of the Hostages.
The Ogham Stone (Above), can be found in the old graveyard at Castlekieran. Sammy (Below), is using one the water ways at the Wells which traditionally cures foot ailments.
This is the Main Well at the site, which is a major healing shrine adopted by the local Catholic Church. Like most Wells in Northern Europe a 'Fairy Tree' is also present, which the locals leave ribbons, cloth and peices of clothing tied too after 'praying' for healing (see Below).
Boa Island
The graveyard on Boa Island, Co. Femanagh contains two interesting statues of unknown date. They are often referred to as 'Janus' statues, but are believed by some archeologists to represent the Celtic deity 'Cerne' or 'Kerne'.
Tara Hill can be found on the Dublin to Cavan road between Dunshaughlin and Navan. It is traditionally the seats of both the Arch-Druid and the High King. Several ring enclosures remain, as does one Chambered Tomb; the Mound of the Hostages.
There are two figures on Boa Island, both double faced. One is noticeably smaller than the other but otherwise they are basically identical. One insteresting feature of both statues is that they both have indentations on the top of their heads. This has led some to speculate that these were made for leaving libations or offerings to the Gods.
Farrar/Bone 1998/1999