Loughcrew

This is another Passage Tomb, like Knowth and Newgrange.  The drive to the lot is a long winding road that I am sure only fits one car.  There is a road leading to and another one leading from, but they are not one-ways, so you may have to back up as necessary if you meet another car on the road, until you can safely pass each other.  It caused me a bit of anxiety, but at least I wasn't driving!

Loughcrew is in County Meath.  It is the highest point in the County.  I am thinking I should do a blog dedicated to hitting all the highest points in every county in Ireland!  It would be like doing the 7 summits, only not because, of course, the highest points in Ireland do not go anywhere near as high as the 7 summits.  Having said that, I was at the highest point in County Westmeath - which is in the Beech Forest where we walked the dogs.  If I ever get to Cairn Hill, I will have been to the highest point in county Longford!  That will be three down, and only 29 more to go, as there are apparently 32 counties in the Republic of Ireland.

Well, I digress...

This was the lot where we parked.  In the off season, you can pick up a key to unlock the gate and tour the mounds.  Even from the parking lot, it was a lovely view.

Loughcrew has the remains of 25 mounds that cover a fairly wide expanse.  There are two main cairns, T and H.  We will have to go back to walk to H.

It is quite a climb to the top of the main tomb, Cairn T.  The mound and passage tomb is very well intact.  We were able to walk into the passage and view the engravings on the stones in the back chambers.  There was a tour guide, as 2 people sit on chairs at the entrance and guide visitors in and give you lots of information.  It does not cost anything to tour Loughcrew and enter the passage tomb.  At the end of the short tunnel, there are three chambers and she showed us using a flashlight, how the sun would light up the chamber on the Autumn and Spring Equinox. The carvings on the stone have several circles that look sort of like suns.  As the sun rises on the Equinox, it lights up each circular picture as it goes.  It would be really cool to see and there is no lottery.  We just have to call to find out the exact day (as there is a range of 3 days around the time of the Equinox) and then we can just go and hopefully get in to watch the sun light up the Chamber, if it is, in fact, a sunny spell in Ireland that day...  It would be really interesting to see it.  We will shoot for the Autumn Equinox in September I believe.

Views from the hilltop.

Well, it wouldn't be Ireland if there weren't sheep.  And yes, on the walk up the hill you must watch your step...

It is a rather steep hill.  There are worn paths that go up the hill at an angle.  It probably takes about 20 minutes to get to the top.  There were a few people who seemed to be deciding not to climb the hill.  It is worth it though. 

This picture below is The Hag's Chair.  Yes, I sat in it.  Yes, we have a picture on Steve's camera.  I will post it when we download the camera to the computer.

These clogs are what NOT to wear when touring Loughcrew.  Steve's feet kept going sideways and it was making me laugh!  He kindly paused so I could take a picture too!

This picture shows the location of the various mounds in Loughcrew.  Cairn T is the main mound in Carnbane East.  I also thought it was funny that in posting the sign, they went right into the diagram with the bolt!  Why?!

Again with the bolt screwed into the picture!  Really?!

Such incredible views!  We will have to return to see the other cairns.  We will come prepared for a lot of hiking!