Passage tomb in Knocknarea South

On a broad terrace below and to SE of the summit of Knocknarae Mountain, 325m SSE of the large passage tomb, known as Maeve’s Cairn (MA014-076003-). It is located 15m from the edge of the terrace, where there is a steep fall of ground to SE. This passage tomb consists of a circular cairn (diam. 13.5m) which encloses a central cruciform chamber and passage (L 5.5m), opening to SE. The chamber and passage, constructed of upright stones or orthostats (H 0.3-0.7m), are now roofless, and the passage is greatly ruined. The cairn is low with a flat profile, and does not rise above the top of the orthostats. It is defined on its perimeter by a kerb of set stones (av. L 0.5-0.7m; H 0.4m). Interestingly, all the visible kerb stones and orthostats are of gneiss, bar one limestone orthostat in the back recess of the chamber. The tomb is largely concealed by heather. (Bergh 1995, 241-242, site 10). SL014-076019-_01.pdf linked document with details from Seán Ó Nualláin, Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume V. County Sligo. (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1989) Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 7 April 2020

Passage tomb in Knocknarea South is a Neolithic passage tomb, dating to approximately 3500–2500 BCE. It is part of a significant prehistoric landscape associated with Maeve’s Cairn, reflecting the ritual and funerary practices of early farming communities in the region.