Hike Around Ancient Carrowkeel
by John Willmott of Celtic Ways
------------------------
About The Area
------------------------
I live below Ceis Corran, one of the Bricklieve Mountains
in Co. Sligo, Ireland and possibly the mountain with the
most legends in Ireland.
Ceis Corran along with the other Bricklieve Mountains and
their loughs of Key and Arrow form an area that has the
densest collection of ancient sites and legends in all of
Ireland. They were the inspiration to Lord Of The Rings.
If you drive on the N4 Dublin to Sligo road you will find that
when you pass Boyle and enter the pass between the
mountains and lakes you are instantly overcome with
an emotion that you have entered somewhere special.
In addition to its spirituality these mountains always seem
to be abundant in flowers, especially now late August,
and some are very rare. It is also full of bird song.
You can often see the rare peregrine falcons hunting
through the gorges and valleys.
The area is so abundant with all things that people come
to Ireland for, yet most visitors do not reach this area
and, therefore, do not find the Ireland they seek.
I would recommend a complete vacation in this area
alone, once known as the ancient region of Briéfne
-------------------------
Into Carrowkeel
-------------------------
The most well known area of the Bricklieve Mountains
is Carrowkeel, a fairly modern name formed from the
Gaelic Ceathru Caol, meaning Narrow and Quarter,
with quarter meaning a well populated settlement.
Within the Carrowkeel boundaries are 14 listed large
cairns and both the oldest and largest remains of
any stone age settlement in Ireland.
The cairns are largely on the tips of the mountains,
can be seen for miles and clearly align with
Carrowmore, Knockrea cairn, all of the mountain
cairns around Co. Sligo, Sheebeg and Sheemore in
Co. Leitrim, Croagh Patrick in Mayo and the cairn
hills of Loughcrew in Meath..... all visible on a clear day.
-------------------------------------
Approaching The Cairns
-------------------------------------
Most visitors to Carrowkeel visit cairns labelled
G, H, K and L because, surprisingly, there is a climbing
mountain road, with ancient origins, that leads to a
car park just a couple of minutes walk from those cairns.
This road has been improved over the past few months
but normally I rarely see people drive it, until this visit!
It was remarkable, a seemingly endless stream of cars
battling to pass each other on the narrow road and find
places to park. It was a beautiful day, though, as well
as being a bank holiday for Northern Ireland.
If you go on a holiday day, I advise a morning visit !!!
However, my visit was to hike over the mountains and
visit the cairns I have not yet catalogued, and nobody
was visiting any of these magnificent wonders.
These cairns and tombs range from around
3000 BC to possibly as old as 4500 BC.
----------------
Cairn A
----------------
This is an unexplored grass covered cairn that is
actually within the boundaries of Tully, next to
Carrowkeel. I did not make a close visit this time but
took some nice photos from near its base.
Archeologists seem to think this is a western marker
or ceremony hill rather than tomb cairn.
Read back to my article on Lughnasa for an
explanation of this.
---------------
Cairn B
---------------
This is my favourite cairn tomb in Ireland!
I lost my photos last time I visited but this time I did
not only take great photos but found a much easier
route to climb to it, from the west. It only takes about
10 minutes from the western road. Its safe and easy
for anyone to climb.
When visitors enter Carrowkeel's valley they are received
by Cairn B sitting on a narrow cliff. Its very beautiful and
very unique esoterical view.
When you reach this cairn, you may easily miss the
entrance as it is hidden from the base. Climb the cairn
from the north and you will see the entrance clearly.
This cairn tomb is probably the best built in Ireland.
Nothing has been done to re-enforce or preserve it.
No damaged section is replaced and there are no signs
of it collapsing. This is amazing as it seems to be the
most exposed. The secret seems to be its sandstone
construction while most other tombs in Ireland have a
limestone structure that fractures over time.
Did the sandstone come from lands off of Co. Sligo
that are now covered by sea?
Inside is what looks like a seat.
This looks like a standing stone propped over two boulders.
It is said that all cairns had standing stones above them.
Many had standing stones within them, usually made of
quartz. I believe this stone, now a seat, was once the
external standing stone.
Sitting on the stone with my back against the backstone
it is very peaceful. I noticed my aligned view was across
a small hill within the Markree Castle estate that was once
used as Ireland's most important observatory and the
cairns of Carns Hill outside Sligo. The tomb entrance, though
faces what must be the sunset of Imbolc and Samhain
cross quarter days.
While sitting there seems to be faded stone artwork
but I could not make anything out.
The biggest mystery is a carefully cut slit on one of the
orthostat stones. It is done with the precision of a Stihl saw.
What was its intention or purpose?
------------------------
Cairns C & D
------------------------
These are on lower ground to the north and quite demolished.
Cairn C is known by locals as "The Leprechaun House", the only
cairn in the area given a name.
I took distant photos but will have a close visit another day.
--------------
Cairn E
--------------
Though maps show a path I could not find one and it was quite a trek
through the dense heather to reach here,but well worth the effort
to see something very unique.
Its not visible from any of the roads.
I have never seen a cairn tomb like this.
Its like a cross between a barrow, court tomb and crucifix
passage tomb. Archeologists are calling this a trapezoidal cairn.
Normally, the court ceremonial area is positioned in front
of the highest part of the cairn in front of large tomb entrances.
In this case, the court area was in the narrow end facing SE.
The main crucifix tomb entrance faces NW and there may have been
a ceremonial area in front of this two, a double court tomb????
The backstone, however, points north-eastish towards Ben Bulben.
Along the length of the cairn area are remains of other tombs.
This gives the impression of being a tomb of add-ons conducted
over around 2000 years. Obviously a very important and maybe the
most important place in the area.
The Firbolgs, of around 2000 BC, were barrow builders
so I wonder if they extended an existing passage tomb to become
one of their barrows. The Firbolgs were a race of short people who
did work with gold and were probably the source of Leprechaun stories.
Though largely demolished there's still a lot to see and consider
at this cairn. It seems to have once had the grandeur and size of
New Grange and Knowth. Most people visiting Carrowkeel will
never see this, but it is really worth the effort to try and find it.
Its not very far from the main track.
There seems to be remains of smaller tombs around it too.
I have a terrific photo gallery to upload of this one
--------------
Cairn F
--------------
This is very near Cairn E but unlike E is very visible when you enter
the Carrowkeel Valley. As people leave the valley they wonder why
they never visited it. Again the reason is due to an unclear path.
Though the path to Cairn F is awkward, between F and E is easy.
F is huge !!! Sadly it has caved in, only within the last 50 years.
It is a limestone construction.
I wish I could have seen it before it collapsed .
R.A.S. Macalister, Professor of Archaeology at University College,
Dublin managed extensive and ridiculously fast digs around
Carrowkeel around 1911 and 1912. His photos of Cairn F
indicate a huge double cruciform chamber complex with a quartz
standing stone in the middle.
Macalister described this cairn as being one of the most
impressive ancient structures in Ireland due to precision stone
cutting, uniform shapes and symmetry.
"the constructional skill displayed is beyond all praise".
Macalister also warned that metal props and portland cement
were critical as the tomb was now unstable due to limestone fractures.
He was right! I hope a real excavation and preservation project
is undertaken to revive this remarkable tomb.
Do not try to remove stones yourself, if you visit.
I suspect the orthostats would fall on you.
It is said that it's entrance and back stone align with the pole star.
It certainly aligns with nearby wonder, Cairn E.
--------------
Cairn G
--------------
This is the nearest cairn to the mountain car park and the one
that all visitors see. I did not bother visit this time as I have
a good gallery of photos from my many visits here.
Its circle of kerb stones are now completely buried by peat
but the tomb within the cairn is a remarkable crucifix chambered
passage tomb. It is worth squeezing in the narrow entrance that
opens up into a large ceremonial area in the middle.
Visitors have lined this area with straw and some enthusiasts do
sleep here overnight during Celtic festival days.
For one, the summer solstice sunset creates a narrow beam that
enters the careful constructed slit at the entrance.
This is similar to the winter solstice sun rise of New Grange.
--------------
Cairn H
--------------
Near Cairn G and easy to walk to is largely collapsed yet there is
still plenty to see. This cairn contains a large curved passage
similar to Knowth.
-------------
Cairn K
-------------
Not far to walk from Cairns G & H but requires a little climb
though the tracks to it are easy. Most casual visitors do not
bother. They have had enough after seeing G & H.
I love this cairn, but few enter it due to fear of its long narrow
passage, 8 metres, under 30 ft, that requires wriggling and crawling.
Once through the passage it opens into a large ceremonial area
and a crucifix of chambers like Cairn G.
The people I have led into this cairn are so thrilled they made the effort,
as they stretch out and are awed by the space of the centre.
There's an incredible sense of peace and safety in this one.
I notice people that join me here burst into laughter for awhile ?? :-)
Each chamber has a light hole above it. Very unique.
This is a very stable cairn and tomb.
-------------
Cairn L
-------------
Just past cairn K. Totally destroyed and just a pile of stones
Most stones were probably raided for local walls.
-------------------------
Cairns M and N.
-------------------------
I have not visited these yet.
I will do next visit.
They are a few minutes walk beyond K & L but without
paths to them and a bit tricky to find as they are small cairns.
I look forward to visiting them and adding to my report.
-------------
Cairn O
-------------
A visit to here is an adventure in surrealism and beauty on a
sunny day. I cannot wait to share my photo gallery of this with
you as soon as its ready.
Its a place that I would say is a "must visit"
but I know that if I took you I would need good insurance cover
and a waiver against liability.
Having said that, if you are careful this is a safe and fun place
to visit as long as you are dressed right, reasonably fit, careful
and carry a litre bottle of water.
This is a hike you'll remember for life.
First, the adventure hike is through a most beautiful gorge of
cliffs, trees, flowers and songbird. The view of Cairn 0 perched
on a steep cliff is like something from a Roger Dean painting
that are on most Yes albums. It seems unapproachable
yet there is a wonderful hidden path.
The path to it includes crossing a plateau that is the site of the
oldest and densest stone age community. There are stone
circle remains of their huts.
This leads onto another plateau of "moonrock" known as
karst which is the landscape feature of The Burren in
Co. Clare and many of the islands of Croatia.
It is important to stick to the cliff path to void having
your ankles stuck in this rock.
Within this barren landscape are also stone circles
of stone age hut homes.
The ascent to cairn O is not as difficult as it looks,
as long as you follow the path.
You will notice a cave when you look up.
The path goes to the right of the cave.
It does require an all-fours climb for much of it,
but it is very safe, no jagged rocks.
What amazed me was that after 6 days of heavy rain
the ground and the thick lush grass was dry.
This was to prove useful later.
When you reach cairn O it is smaller than it looks from the ground
but the views are incredible.
What is unique is the entrance on Cairn O, which is on the east
of the Bricklieve Mountains It faces south, not North or Northish
like the others. it seems to have a single chamber just like my
favourite Cain B, but is difficult to enter. I got stuck !!!!
What an ironic end to my life if I had ended my days in one of
these tombs. After a successful squeeze back out and an inner
promise to go on a diet I lowered my camera back in to take
photos. One noticeable feature was a cracking capstone.
I recommend nobody enters this tomb as it will cave in soon,
maybe in 100 years, or maybe tomorrow.
--------------
Cairn P
--------------
After my entombment scare and exhaustion from squeezing out
I wondered if it was worth climbing higher to the final
cairn P. It seemed so far away.
However, the evening sun made it glow and revealed the shadow
of an easy path through the thick blooming heather
so I thought I would give it a try. It was actually nearer than it looked,
under 5 minutes walk, and well worth that extra last effort.
Cairn P is a grass cairn like Cairn A. Also like Cairn A
is said to be a ceremonial marker mound and not a tomb mound
but on the east side. Cairn A is on the west.
From Cairn P I could see the masses of people standing on
the very popular Cairn G in the distance
looking at me wondering what they were missing ,,,,, I wonder.
---------------------------------
On The Way Home.
---------------------------------
The descent from P and O was easy but instead of all fours
it was slide down on the rear end. As the grass was thick and dry
it did not create a wet bum.
I looked up, saw the cave and thought "I must do this again".
So, I climbed to the cave, took photos and then slid back down
on my bum, a kind of grass sledging ..... great fun :-)
No jagged stones so you can just let yourself go.
Its very safe. I almost climbed again to do it again.
For the descent down the plateau cliff the path is marked
by some wonderful eroded eerie wooden posts.
No need for all fours or bum sliding here.
The walk back through the gorge was equally pleasant.
As I reached car park at the base of Cairn G some
"tourists" approached me for suggestions of how to
get to Yeats grave. When they revealed they were
staying in Galway that evening I thought it made sense for
them to finish their day from Keash Caves instead.
They followed me driving through the country lanes to
Keash, which is an adventure on its own.
When reaching the path to the caves I was shocked to see
many cars parked along the road. Every time I or others
visit the caves we seem to be alone.
I decided not to climb myself as I was hungry.
I believe Ballymote has the best Chinese take-away
in the world, always fresh veg and rice, generous portions,
no additives and a great price. My mind was on that.
However, I noticed that an incredible sunset was forming
which would have been a priceless sight for the people
exploring the caves. I must get sunset photos one day.
The people I led there gave me a gift of their CD.
I did not realize they were a music band.
From Glastonbury,
Marie Ni Criochain and Ocean Of Blue.
A mix of esoteric songs, smooth jazz and poetry
with unplugged ambient music.
Lovely. I wondered why I deserved a gift on a day that had
been a priceless gift in all, A beautiful end.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To join me on "Following Celtic Ways" adventures,
book me for a "Following Celtic Ways" gig
with a mix of stories, music and adventures
or stay at Markree Castle as a base for your own DIY adventure
contact me through this link
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------
About The Area
------------------------
I live below Ceis Corran, one of the Bricklieve Mountains
in Co. Sligo, Ireland and possibly the mountain with the
most legends in Ireland.
Ceis Corran along with the other Bricklieve Mountains and
their loughs of Key and Arrow form an area that has the
densest collection of ancient sites and legends in all of
Ireland. They were the inspiration to Lord Of The Rings.
If you drive on the N4 Dublin to Sligo road you will find that
when you pass Boyle and enter the pass between the
mountains and lakes you are instantly overcome with
an emotion that you have entered somewhere special.
In addition to its spirituality these mountains always seem
to be abundant in flowers, especially now late August,
and some are very rare. It is also full of bird song.
You can often see the rare peregrine falcons hunting
through the gorges and valleys.
The area is so abundant with all things that people come
to Ireland for, yet most visitors do not reach this area
and, therefore, do not find the Ireland they seek.
I would recommend a complete vacation in this area
alone, once known as the ancient region of Briéfne
-------------------------
Into Carrowkeel
-------------------------
The most well known area of the Bricklieve Mountains
is Carrowkeel, a fairly modern name formed from the
Gaelic Ceathru Caol, meaning Narrow and Quarter,
with quarter meaning a well populated settlement.
Within the Carrowkeel boundaries are 14 listed large
cairns and both the oldest and largest remains of
any stone age settlement in Ireland.
The cairns are largely on the tips of the mountains,
can be seen for miles and clearly align with
Carrowmore, Knockrea cairn, all of the mountain
cairns around Co. Sligo, Sheebeg and Sheemore in
Co. Leitrim, Croagh Patrick in Mayo and the cairn
hills of Loughcrew in Meath..... all visible on a clear day.
-------------------------------------
Approaching The Cairns
-------------------------------------
Most visitors to Carrowkeel visit cairns labelled
G, H, K and L because, surprisingly, there is a climbing
mountain road, with ancient origins, that leads to a
car park just a couple of minutes walk from those cairns.
This road has been improved over the past few months
but normally I rarely see people drive it, until this visit!
It was remarkable, a seemingly endless stream of cars
battling to pass each other on the narrow road and find
places to park. It was a beautiful day, though, as well
as being a bank holiday for Northern Ireland.
If you go on a holiday day, I advise a morning visit !!!
However, my visit was to hike over the mountains and
visit the cairns I have not yet catalogued, and nobody
was visiting any of these magnificent wonders.
These cairns and tombs range from around
3000 BC to possibly as old as 4500 BC.
----------------
Cairn A
----------------
This is an unexplored grass covered cairn that is
actually within the boundaries of Tully, next to
Carrowkeel. I did not make a close visit this time but
took some nice photos from near its base.
Archeologists seem to think this is a western marker
or ceremony hill rather than tomb cairn.
Read back to my article on Lughnasa for an
explanation of this.
---------------
Cairn B
---------------
This is my favourite cairn tomb in Ireland!
I lost my photos last time I visited but this time I did
not only take great photos but found a much easier
route to climb to it, from the west. It only takes about
10 minutes from the western road. Its safe and easy
for anyone to climb.
When visitors enter Carrowkeel's valley they are received
by Cairn B sitting on a narrow cliff. Its very beautiful and
very unique esoterical view.
When you reach this cairn, you may easily miss the
entrance as it is hidden from the base. Climb the cairn
from the north and you will see the entrance clearly.
This cairn tomb is probably the best built in Ireland.
Nothing has been done to re-enforce or preserve it.
No damaged section is replaced and there are no signs
of it collapsing. This is amazing as it seems to be the
most exposed. The secret seems to be its sandstone
construction while most other tombs in Ireland have a
limestone structure that fractures over time.
Did the sandstone come from lands off of Co. Sligo
that are now covered by sea?
Inside is what looks like a seat.
This looks like a standing stone propped over two boulders.
It is said that all cairns had standing stones above them.
Many had standing stones within them, usually made of
quartz. I believe this stone, now a seat, was once the
external standing stone.
Sitting on the stone with my back against the backstone
it is very peaceful. I noticed my aligned view was across
a small hill within the Markree Castle estate that was once
used as Ireland's most important observatory and the
cairns of Carns Hill outside Sligo. The tomb entrance, though
faces what must be the sunset of Imbolc and Samhain
cross quarter days.
While sitting there seems to be faded stone artwork
but I could not make anything out.
The biggest mystery is a carefully cut slit on one of the
orthostat stones. It is done with the precision of a Stihl saw.
What was its intention or purpose?
------------------------
Cairns C & D
------------------------
These are on lower ground to the north and quite demolished.
Cairn C is known by locals as "The Leprechaun House", the only
cairn in the area given a name.
I took distant photos but will have a close visit another day.
--------------
Cairn E
--------------
Though maps show a path I could not find one and it was quite a trek
through the dense heather to reach here,but well worth the effort
to see something very unique.
Its not visible from any of the roads.
I have never seen a cairn tomb like this.
Its like a cross between a barrow, court tomb and crucifix
passage tomb. Archeologists are calling this a trapezoidal cairn.
Normally, the court ceremonial area is positioned in front
of the highest part of the cairn in front of large tomb entrances.
In this case, the court area was in the narrow end facing SE.
The main crucifix tomb entrance faces NW and there may have been
a ceremonial area in front of this two, a double court tomb????
The backstone, however, points north-eastish towards Ben Bulben.
Along the length of the cairn area are remains of other tombs.
This gives the impression of being a tomb of add-ons conducted
over around 2000 years. Obviously a very important and maybe the
most important place in the area.
The Firbolgs, of around 2000 BC, were barrow builders
so I wonder if they extended an existing passage tomb to become
one of their barrows. The Firbolgs were a race of short people who
did work with gold and were probably the source of Leprechaun stories.
Though largely demolished there's still a lot to see and consider
at this cairn. It seems to have once had the grandeur and size of
New Grange and Knowth. Most people visiting Carrowkeel will
never see this, but it is really worth the effort to try and find it.
Its not very far from the main track.
There seems to be remains of smaller tombs around it too.
I have a terrific photo gallery to upload of this one
--------------
Cairn F
--------------
This is very near Cairn E but unlike E is very visible when you enter
the Carrowkeel Valley. As people leave the valley they wonder why
they never visited it. Again the reason is due to an unclear path.
Though the path to Cairn F is awkward, between F and E is easy.
F is huge !!! Sadly it has caved in, only within the last 50 years.
It is a limestone construction.
I wish I could have seen it before it collapsed .
R.A.S. Macalister, Professor of Archaeology at University College,
Dublin managed extensive and ridiculously fast digs around
Carrowkeel around 1911 and 1912. His photos of Cairn F
indicate a huge double cruciform chamber complex with a quartz
standing stone in the middle.
Macalister described this cairn as being one of the most
impressive ancient structures in Ireland due to precision stone
cutting, uniform shapes and symmetry.
"the constructional skill displayed is beyond all praise".
Macalister also warned that metal props and portland cement
were critical as the tomb was now unstable due to limestone fractures.
He was right! I hope a real excavation and preservation project
is undertaken to revive this remarkable tomb.
Do not try to remove stones yourself, if you visit.
I suspect the orthostats would fall on you.
It is said that it's entrance and back stone align with the pole star.
It certainly aligns with nearby wonder, Cairn E.
--------------
Cairn G
--------------
This is the nearest cairn to the mountain car park and the one
that all visitors see. I did not bother visit this time as I have
a good gallery of photos from my many visits here.
Its circle of kerb stones are now completely buried by peat
but the tomb within the cairn is a remarkable crucifix chambered
passage tomb. It is worth squeezing in the narrow entrance that
opens up into a large ceremonial area in the middle.
Visitors have lined this area with straw and some enthusiasts do
sleep here overnight during Celtic festival days.
For one, the summer solstice sunset creates a narrow beam that
enters the careful constructed slit at the entrance.
This is similar to the winter solstice sun rise of New Grange.
--------------
Cairn H
--------------
Near Cairn G and easy to walk to is largely collapsed yet there is
still plenty to see. This cairn contains a large curved passage
similar to Knowth.
-------------
Cairn K
-------------
Not far to walk from Cairns G & H but requires a little climb
though the tracks to it are easy. Most casual visitors do not
bother. They have had enough after seeing G & H.
I love this cairn, but few enter it due to fear of its long narrow
passage, 8 metres, under 30 ft, that requires wriggling and crawling.
Once through the passage it opens into a large ceremonial area
and a crucifix of chambers like Cairn G.
The people I have led into this cairn are so thrilled they made the effort,
as they stretch out and are awed by the space of the centre.
There's an incredible sense of peace and safety in this one.
I notice people that join me here burst into laughter for awhile ?? :-)
Each chamber has a light hole above it. Very unique.
This is a very stable cairn and tomb.
-------------
Cairn L
-------------
Just past cairn K. Totally destroyed and just a pile of stones
Most stones were probably raided for local walls.
-------------------------
Cairns M and N.
-------------------------
I have not visited these yet.
I will do next visit.
They are a few minutes walk beyond K & L but without
paths to them and a bit tricky to find as they are small cairns.
I look forward to visiting them and adding to my report.
-------------
Cairn O
-------------
A visit to here is an adventure in surrealism and beauty on a
sunny day. I cannot wait to share my photo gallery of this with
you as soon as its ready.
Its a place that I would say is a "must visit"
but I know that if I took you I would need good insurance cover
and a waiver against liability.
Having said that, if you are careful this is a safe and fun place
to visit as long as you are dressed right, reasonably fit, careful
and carry a litre bottle of water.
This is a hike you'll remember for life.
First, the adventure hike is through a most beautiful gorge of
cliffs, trees, flowers and songbird. The view of Cairn 0 perched
on a steep cliff is like something from a Roger Dean painting
that are on most Yes albums. It seems unapproachable
yet there is a wonderful hidden path.
The path to it includes crossing a plateau that is the site of the
oldest and densest stone age community. There are stone
circle remains of their huts.
This leads onto another plateau of "moonrock" known as
karst which is the landscape feature of The Burren in
Co. Clare and many of the islands of Croatia.
It is important to stick to the cliff path to void having
your ankles stuck in this rock.
Within this barren landscape are also stone circles
of stone age hut homes.
The ascent to cairn O is not as difficult as it looks,
as long as you follow the path.
You will notice a cave when you look up.
The path goes to the right of the cave.
It does require an all-fours climb for much of it,
but it is very safe, no jagged rocks.
What amazed me was that after 6 days of heavy rain
the ground and the thick lush grass was dry.
This was to prove useful later.
When you reach cairn O it is smaller than it looks from the ground
but the views are incredible.
What is unique is the entrance on Cairn O, which is on the east
of the Bricklieve Mountains It faces south, not North or Northish
like the others. it seems to have a single chamber just like my
favourite Cain B, but is difficult to enter. I got stuck !!!!
What an ironic end to my life if I had ended my days in one of
these tombs. After a successful squeeze back out and an inner
promise to go on a diet I lowered my camera back in to take
photos. One noticeable feature was a cracking capstone.
I recommend nobody enters this tomb as it will cave in soon,
maybe in 100 years, or maybe tomorrow.
--------------
Cairn P
--------------
After my entombment scare and exhaustion from squeezing out
I wondered if it was worth climbing higher to the final
cairn P. It seemed so far away.
However, the evening sun made it glow and revealed the shadow
of an easy path through the thick blooming heather
so I thought I would give it a try. It was actually nearer than it looked,
under 5 minutes walk, and well worth that extra last effort.
Cairn P is a grass cairn like Cairn A. Also like Cairn A
is said to be a ceremonial marker mound and not a tomb mound
but on the east side. Cairn A is on the west.
From Cairn P I could see the masses of people standing on
the very popular Cairn G in the distance
looking at me wondering what they were missing ,,,,, I wonder.
---------------------------------
On The Way Home.
---------------------------------
The descent from P and O was easy but instead of all fours
it was slide down on the rear end. As the grass was thick and dry
it did not create a wet bum.
I looked up, saw the cave and thought "I must do this again".
So, I climbed to the cave, took photos and then slid back down
on my bum, a kind of grass sledging ..... great fun :-)
No jagged stones so you can just let yourself go.
Its very safe. I almost climbed again to do it again.
For the descent down the plateau cliff the path is marked
by some wonderful eroded eerie wooden posts.
No need for all fours or bum sliding here.
The walk back through the gorge was equally pleasant.
As I reached car park at the base of Cairn G some
"tourists" approached me for suggestions of how to
get to Yeats grave. When they revealed they were
staying in Galway that evening I thought it made sense for
them to finish their day from Keash Caves instead.
They followed me driving through the country lanes to
Keash, which is an adventure on its own.
When reaching the path to the caves I was shocked to see
many cars parked along the road. Every time I or others
visit the caves we seem to be alone.
I decided not to climb myself as I was hungry.
I believe Ballymote has the best Chinese take-away
in the world, always fresh veg and rice, generous portions,
no additives and a great price. My mind was on that.
However, I noticed that an incredible sunset was forming
which would have been a priceless sight for the people
exploring the caves. I must get sunset photos one day.
The people I led there gave me a gift of their CD.
I did not realize they were a music band.
From Glastonbury,
Marie Ni Criochain and Ocean Of Blue.
A mix of esoteric songs, smooth jazz and poetry
with unplugged ambient music.
Lovely. I wondered why I deserved a gift on a day that had
been a priceless gift in all, A beautiful end.
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To join me on "Following Celtic Ways" adventures,
book me for a "Following Celtic Ways" gig
with a mix of stories, music and adventures
or stay at Markree Castle as a base for your own DIY adventure
contact me through this link
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