Frank Cawley
Google
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.
