Carrowkeel Cairns Passage Tombs

Impressive, but you need to understand my greatest joy. I am an explorer at heart. My soul is always in mode Indiana Jones. This place was mysterious, ancient, and enchanting. It is a miracle that people are allowed to be so close to these ancient structures. Loved it. It was the equivalent to travelling in time. I recommend proper hiking shoes and get ready for the mist and equip yourself with courage.

A Hidden Gem with Timeless Views and Ancient Magic Carrowkeel Cairns are a seriously underrated slice of Irish history nestled in the Bricklieve Mountains of County Sligo. Just a 30-minute moderately steep walk from the small car park (which, to be fair, has limited space—but you likely won’t have to fight a crowd), and you’re transported back over 5,000 years. I went up on a classic Irish summer’s day—showery with the odd burst of sunshine—and when the clouds lifted, I could count nine counties from the top: Sligo, Donegal, Mayo, Leitrim, Galway, Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath, and Fermanagh. Breathtaking doesn’t quite cover it. There are three main cairns (passage tombs) easily accessible from the trail, with many more scattered around the nearby hills. You also get stunning views of Lough Arrow to the east, shimmering like something out of a folklore tale. These monuments were built by Neolithic farmers around 3200 BC—yes, before the Pyramids—and it’s believed they were used for burial and ceremonial purposes, aligning with the sun and stars. They likely came from the Boyne Valley culture (think Newgrange), and they managed all of this without tractors, JCBs, or breakfast rolls from the petrol station. Net zero before it was trendy, they hauled massive stone slabs uphill with ropes, logs, and grit—something that would take the Irish government 50 years to plan and another half-century to actually build (probably 50 times over budget too). Carrowkeel is quiet, raw, and authentic—no gift shops, no signs pointing to the "selfie spot"—just pure Irish heritage and landscape. Highly recommended for walkers, history buffs, and anyone wanting to stand where ancient humans once stood and stare out over half the island.

Fantastic place to visit, easy enough hike from carpark to the cairns. You can open the gate by the cattle grid, ensure you close it once you drive through, and park at the end where signs tell you not to drive any further. Views are brilliant. Proper walking shoes recommended. However, please, please, please do not climb on the cairns. Today we seen several people ( on a cairn at the far end ) climbing to the top to take selfies. These cairns have been standing for thousands of years but are deteriorating rapidy because of people climbing on them. Exactly the same issue at Loughcrew. Have some respect please. Otherwise go and enjoy the silence, the views and the serenity of the place 👍

Amazing place to visit. One of the must see places to visit in Ireland, historical and a stunning view. Plan your route because the "official" car park is a very long walk away.

Very nice walk, Just seen 4 of the tombs on left side when you drive into parking area, Beautiful views of loch arrow from top, Ideal not too steep for younger kids or older folk , Hope to see a some more tombs at some point,

If you drive in, don’t like to walk too much, (and want to get less wet in the rain) pull your vehicle up to the gate, unlatch it and drive through. Just be sure to close it behind you as the sheep will get out if you don’t. That last bit about the sheep was told to us at multiple locations. Lifting and going through the gate may seem inappropriate or prohibited, but it is not. One of the waiters in a nearby community grew up there and actually told us to do this. There will be a flat road beyond the gate surrounded very closely by growth. Take a left where the signs are (you are basically forced this way) and drive up to the fork in the road. To the right, a sign reads “Historic Trail”. Go left. As the sign facing the opposite direction of the road reads, it is traversable by car but not very smoothly. It wasn’t raining all too much and our VW almost didn’t make it back due to a somewhat steep hill. Keep this in mind. After driving along the bottom of the ridge for a bit, there will be a downhill bend. Go ahead. Pull through up to the sign that reads “Pedestrians only”, or something to that effect. Park your car at the turnaround and try to avoid stepping in (too much) sheep pies. Enjoy the views, and be respectful please and thank you.

1h round trip walk at easy pace. Sport shoes recommended. But the view is worth any day. Better by clear weather, it is still spectacular under wet conditions. Very easy to find and family friendly (we did it with our 3years old child) The only downside is the amount of sheep dejections at the top and all around the tombs.

Really beautiful place!! Discovered for the first time recently. Bit of a hike to get up there but well worth it!! Views are stunning and one of the tombs has full access. Won't be disappointed with this hidden gem!!!