More Ancient Places
megalithic passage tomb it is part of the
Boyne Valley group of passage tombs that includes the much larger
mounds at Newgrange
, and Dowth
. The chamber at Towneyhall is
a simple rectangle at the end of a short passage. Concrete markers
show where the missing passage orthostats once stood.
On the mornings around the Summer Solstice
, the passage
and chamber are aligned with the rising sun.
decorated stone located near Loughcrew
is 2.5 metres high and is said to have been a roof lintel from a megalithic tomb that stood
on the site. This sprial is 40cm in diameter and is the largest and most defined spiral on the stone.
The Kingsmountain stone is situated in a field about 40 metres from the end of a narrow lane.
located in Ardcath on a ridge between
to the North
to the East.
is set in the wall of a farm house. It was discovered turned inwards when the wall at the
entrance to the farm house was damaged by a milk lorry.
Mullagharoy Standing Stone
- Rathkenny Co.Meath.
The Standing Stone is just 1.3 metres high and is situated in the
middle of a field with no other stones in sight. The southwest face
is ornamented with picked concentric circles and other designs.
Baltray standing stones are positioned on high ground north
of the Boyne estuary near the sea. The larger of the two stones is 3 metres high, the other
stone is 2 metres high.
The flat side of the larger standing stone points to Rockabill Island
about 25km out to sea at the same angle as Winter Solstice rising sun.
Ancient Sites in Europe
Stonehenge in England is probably the best known and most studied
megalithic structure anywhere in the world, yet its original purpose
is still unclear. I imagine Stonehenge to have been a glorious
ancient temple, a place of spiritual, religious and ceremonial
Rollright Stone Circle - Oxfordshire, England.
The Rollright King's Men Stone Circle, the King Standing Stone and
the Whispering Knights Dolmen.
Gavrinis - Brittany, France.
The Isle of Goats just off the coast of Brittany is home to the
wonderful Gavrinis megalithic cairn. The cairn is about 5500 years old, it is 60
metres in diameter and covers a passage and chamber which is lined with
elaborately engraved stones.
Cairnpapple - Scotland by Jackie Queally
Cairnpapple was discovered immediately after the Second World War – all that was discernable
at the time was a rough circular embankment known as a henge monument – and a central cairn
set in a rather random-looking position within the circle.
Boyne Valley Private Day Tour
Immerse yourself in the rich heritage and culture of the Boyne Valley with our full-day private tours.
Visit Newgrange World Heritage site, explore the Hill of Slane, where Saint Patrick famously lit the Paschal fire.
Discover the Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of power for the High Kings of Ireland.