SLIGO: A MEGALITHIC ODYSSEY - Carrowkeel, Carrowmore and Knocknarea

I recently went on something of a megalithic odyssey to County Sligo, to see some of our most ancient stone age monuments in the spectacular setting of the landscape of the Atlantic northwest. In one day, I visited the megalithic complex of Carrowkeel, on the Bricklieve Mountains near Lough Arrow, the Carrowmore complex, where I was guided by the wonderful Martin Byrne, and finally I climbed Knocknarea to visit Queen Medb's Cairn.
In this Mythical Ireland special video, first released for Mythical Ireland patrons at the Bronze Age reward level and above, I chronicle that wonderful adventure among some of our most ancient Neolithic monuments.
This short film was first published for Mythical Ireland patrons over at www.patreon.com/mythicalireland on 21st September 2020.
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Brought to you by acclaimed author, photographer and astronomer Anthony Murphy. See more resources, photos and videos at www.mythicalireland.com Anthony is discoverer of a major archaeological find, one of the biggest in decades, near Newgrange (bit.ly/Newgrange-henge) and has appeared on television and in media all around the globe, including appearances on the History Channel, National Geographic, Channel 4, CNN, NBC News and the BBC.
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Thanks for visiting and welcome to Mythical Ireland!

[@patcummins6036]

I’m Australian and my Irish ancestors came from Sligo. I returned there in, I think, 1979 and met many cousins and family members. Thank you for this wonderful video.

[@wjpmurray]

9

[@IrishTechnicalThinker]

That haunting fog is extraordinary, it's like you've stumbled and accidentally invited into Tir Na Og.

[@suzannewebb7913]

Beautiful my mother is from Sligo I promised her that my girls and my grandchildren will always know there Irish Sligo routes ❤️

[@leonardolopez1128]

Wonderful. It brings back memories of our trip to Sligo and our visit to Carrowkeel and Carrowmore. A wonderful and dear friend served as tour guide, driver, archeologist and historian. In addition she helped me overcome my claustrophobia. Never to be forgotten and always grateful that we were able to see this magnificent area.

[@witchglitter]

I have always been so intrigued by the megalithic sites in Ireland (it's the reason I got a history degree!) I've been to all three sites!

[@seanogallchoir3237]

The Celtic World is interesting, the 6 Celtic Countries or 7 Galacia in Spain. King Eochy cairn near Cong is worth visiting, from the famous battle of Moytura. It would be great if the King Eochy cairn could be visited as access is not good, a drone could help as it would bring the views to many people. Enjoy our beautiful Ocean Planet.

[@seanogallchoir3237]

The ancient sites all around the planet are interesting, it would be great to see the Ogham script being used on sign posts, with a smart phone reader to explain. It could be more original as with the spirals at Newgrange. The Mystical island of Erin and other Celtic Countries could become Real. Go raibh mhaith agat alig. Enjoy our beautiful Ocean Planet. # HeroesAtSea

[@kevinmckinney3785]

Three of us traveled Ireland in 2011. We of course went to Newgrange. But I was mystified by seeing the mound cairns on the top of hills as we drove through northwestern Irish countryside.

[@mythicalireland]

It's such a beautiful landscape in Sligo!

[@michaeldevaney5728]

Sligo is a stunningly beautiful county

[@mythicalireland]

100% right. 👌🙂

[@michaeldevaney5728]

@@mythicalireland sligo is a totally underrated county

[@DiaryofaDitchWitch]

Aw the wee sheeps were delighted to have a buddy coming down with them for a change

[@EllieTheWheaten]

This area is so beautiful that you should come back and show its historic monuments in a clearer weather. Then you could see many of the mountains around Knocknarea have cairns on their tops as well.

[@mythicalireland]

Great idea! I look forward to it.

[@binflynn1]

Very interesting I must call and have a look next time in Sligo

[@mezmarionybarra]

All this was so beautiful thank you so much as always for sharing your land with the world💞

[@Danika_Nadzan]

Nicely done! I appreciate the views from inside the cairns; with my claustrophobia, I'd never be able to go in! The views of the landscape are spectacular as well. County Sligo is lucky to have so many spots of beauty and history!

[@karldeegan8044]

Aw stop Anthony Sligo is a savage spot , ive been to a couple of those cairns on up in the brickslieves the landscape and atmosphere up there is hard to put into mere words, queen maeves cairn gives some unrivalled vistas, I cannot wait to get myself back up there 👍

[@seanogallchoir3237]

There may exist a amphitheatre in the Brickleaves mountains, natural or man made. The people of the Medi are supposed to have landed on Inish Saimer Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal. King Partholan & his Queen A visit to the museum there is worth while. The Phoenicians may have been in Ireland as they visited other Celtic Countries. The Tua Cross from Egypt on Tory island & St. Catherine well in Killybegs, also from Egypt.

[@daisypeters3216]

I've just watched this wonderful stuff about Sligo, and age monuments. I'm absolutely amazed such spetacular setting of the landscapes! I'm very grateful you for sharing your brilliant footage and work. Go raibh mile maith agat, Anthony!

[@inkerlot]

Thank you so very much, I loved it so incredibly beautiful 😁😁

[@stavrotat2]

Wonderful! We are excited to get back to all these magical places :)

[@shrinkU]

Great work. Thank you!

[@GkPhotographic]

very well made , good job

[@8ballphil150]

The silver patron has a beautiful Irish name . Fiona Nic Giolla Cheara . ( Fiona daughter of Giolla Cheara . )

[@biddyearly9262]

Once my car is fixed I am visiting been there in the past I found tranquility such a beautiful place.

[@paulkelly7305]

Well done ,just love this wonderful place

[@northcountymoocher3920]

Excellent

[@ArchaeoastronomyDatabase]

Very nicely done! The astronomical connections between these monuments is fascinating!

[@seanogallchoir3237]

The Round Towers may have been designed to represent the Star system.

[@cynicalb]

it was all very intentional our sacred festivals are a way of life(to some)

[@IrishTechnicalThinker]

Keep up the phenomenal work! Many blessings!

[@mythicalireland]

Haven't seen you in ages! Hope all is well?

[@user-qf3lq4zj8g]

Observing 7:15 carefully, the one above (the one you placed your foot upon) seems like a hand print, the thumb being slightly more elongated than usual. The one below resembles better a footprint, but the vertical and horizontal divisions makes it look more like a _hoof_ print...

[@josieruthw]

Love it! Great job Anthony!!!

[@spcm6781]

Next time you are in Co. Sligo you should call to Knocknashee.

[@mythicalireland]

Yes indeed. And the caves of Kesh. And Creevykeel! On the list! :)

[@kickinghorse2405]

Oh yes! Looking forward to this as well. I lift you up my man. You've been a wonderful source of inspiration these months of challenge. Basically, you rock! So, I was blessed with a trip back in 2017 to these sites - and attended a reconciliation ceremony between the ancestral North (Ulster) and ancestral West (Connacht) at "Méabh's Tomb" wherein participants offered prayers for forgiveness and friendship. It was as if we were reaching back through our DNA's DNA (lol) to enact a peace accord vicariously by proxy on behalf of the Old Ones after the events in the Táin. I was deeply moved. An American, my peeps are from Monaghan and Fermanagh (traditional Ulster Prov.) as well as from Claire (C) and Kerry (M). I couldn't help but feel other than that it was a step in the direction of kindness and unity - if only internally.

[@kickinghorse2405]

(Fun Fact: I'm near a little town called Wilkeson at the foot of Mt. Rainier, Washington State, USA. :)

[@seanogallchoir3237]

King Eochy cairn near Cong is interesting it is from famous battle of Moytura. There may have been 100k warriors fighting in the battle, on the plains of Moytura. It would make interesting animation footage for the Game of Thrones. A good Drone could bring the views to many people as access is limited.

[@seanogallchoir3237]

Re. Carn Ethach or King Eochy the last Firbolg King of Erin, whose remains may be under the large Carn, he died on 4 th. day of the battle of Moytura 15 th. June 3303 B.C. after a fierce battle with the De Dannan led by the 3 sons of Nemed Mac Badhrai .

[@helengore8655]

Lovely!

[@seanogallchoir3237]

King Eochy cairn near Cong is similar to Queen Mave perhaps there is a link

[@margaretmckenna6989]

Still have to get there...well did Knocknarea but have to get to the other sites yet

[@daisypeters3216]

I'm looking foward to see this great episode. See you, Anthony and all tomorrow. 👍☘

[@Jilliscious]

Hello! Going back to Ireland in June 2024 and may have to adjust my itinerary to include one of these. If you could only see one between Carrowkeel and Carrowmore, which would you choose? Seems like I would rather see one for the proper amount of time than rush thru them both.

[@mythicalireland]

I would choose Carrowkeel because of the extraordinary setting and views (on a clear day!)

[@jmch2186]

Truly wonderful Anthony. I am torn with regards to excavations. I am delighted that Queen Maebh’s tomb has not been excavated but another part of me would love to know what is inside! Another thing, is it possible that cairn stones came later, almost like our modern day gravestones and that is why this site has none? Or could they be buried? Also, could the creators of the tombs have filled the passages with shale and rock to try to prohibit access to and deter ‘foreigners’ entry to their dead relatives? One further query, what was the type of stone in K, G etc? Sorry for all the questions. Many thanks, Joan in Howth (Binn Eadair) mo ghuí ort 👍🏻💚🇮🇪

[@seanogallchoir3237]

King Eochy cairn near Cong is also interesting, from the famous battle of Moytura

[@MOEMUGGY]

These are equivalent to the modern day tornado shelters. Maybe the weather was really bad and unpredictable 5,000 years ago? Maybe even protection from bears, or possibly used for defense. Probably only used as tomb long after the original inhabitant passed away.

[@Helios601]

I think we know who built the standing stones.

[@JuliFowler]

Very barrow-wightish, that fog!

[@tomasr64]

Yes, I have been here, 2018, my one and only visit to Ireland. John Wilmont was my guide. He has a good record found here on YT. kzbin.info

[@HBADGERBRAD]

Where are the bones now?

[@mythicalireland]

Actually that's a good question!

[@pauladuarte781]

Why are the sheep's fleece stained red?

[@kundee6545]

So farmers can identify their flock....

[@pauladuarte781]

@@kundee6545 Ah. Thanks.

[@ridanann]

People were much shorter back then lol il see myself out ah I don't fit

[@captainmoonlight768]

I wonder can I be buried in a Kirn...?

[@tonyquigley8274]

That's not fog you were in a cloud

[@CelticHound357]

Tell me why Paddy. Why are we building this? ... Because Mary. People 5000 years from now, will be asking the very same thing. 😁

[@grahamfleming9179]

Uabhasach math.

[@user-ml5fi5ib9b]

Новини 1+1

[@JesseP.Watson]

It's rather tragic that these monuments have travelled all the way through time to introduce themselves to us in the present and we can't even come up with a name with some meaning for them, 'Cairn G', it's so utterly devoid of any intelligence worth having, it says "these things are listed in our databank, that's what matters." It's like calling a grandfather 'relative C'. Mmm. Anyway, obviously not blaming you for that, it just struck me that's all.