Loughcrew (Tuaímaí Pasáiste Loch Craobh)

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On this Page: General Information Carnbane East Carnbane West

General Information

circles and holes in Cairn T mossy rock art carving

This place was probably the most interesting stop for us on our short trip. It does involve a bit of hill walking to get to and then the second site is a bit of a walk as well. We did this in the winter so the wind was a bit cold, but the grass was low and it made everything easier to see from the outside.

The amount of carved detail preserved on the stones are phenomenal. There has been a bit of vandalism, but the site is now protected under lock and key. we drove to the local garden to pick up a key in the morning. You take your chances that no one has taken the key before you arrive. In the afternoon a school group came looking for the key but it was with us a far distance away. They finally found us to return it so they could go in. This leads us to believe there is only one key. Don't lose it.

Carnbane East

Cairn T from the outside carved details

At the top of a hill around a sharp corner, there is a small car park. This is where the hike begins to the eastern sites. There is a main cairn (Cairn T) that required a key to enter, and a few other structures in the area in a larger state of ruin.

right side of entranceway looking out left side of entranceway looking out
The two sides of the passageway in Cairn T

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Carnbane West

The path from the road is near a standing stone along a line of trees. We think you might have to hop a fence to get on to the trail. It is embarrassing to say we did not find another way, nor did other people visiting the site.

standing stone stone circle

About half way along the trail, there is a stone circle in the field that we could also see on our primitive map.

From the west section, you can still see Cairn T in the distance. If you divide the photo below in thirds, it would be between the first third and second third.

Cairn T on top of hill in the distance

There are many cairns in the area, most of which are bumps, or at least in lesser condition than cairn T. We found it equally interesting, however.

burried cairn opening to cairn

For one of the cairns, it was in excellent shape, but had a locked gate. the key we had did not fit this cairn. You may want to return the key after visiting cairn T and the east side, grab a lunch at the garden, and then come over to the west side so that others can borrow the key.

A whole cairn from a distance

Some of the cairns are exposed, in that they do not have a top covering them. This allows you to see the shape of the floor plan easily. On some of the stones, rock art still exists. Because it is exposed to the elements, it is not always as clear as the protected art in the covered cairns.

looking out from a cairn seeing the inside from the top

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