Queen Maeve's Grave (Knocknarea Cairn)

Large burial mound on the Knocknarea near Sligo. The climb is nice and not too long. Allegedly the queen was buried standing here in her armor!

Short hike over partly stony and wet ground. Great panorama!

Queen Maeve's Grave (irish: Miosgán Meadhbha) is large passage tomb situated on the top of Knocknarea Mountain (327m), dominating the landscape of the Coolera peninsula in County Sligo. Legend says, that is the final resting place of Queen Maeve of Connacht, the ancient warrior queen. This Neolithic monument has approx 55 m in diameter, is 11 m high and was made of locally quarried limestone. There are also remains of smaller megaliths, as well as huts and large embanked area along the eastern slope. Formal excavations has never been carried out, but is thought the Queen Maeve's cairn and other remains may have been built around 3000 BC.

There are stunning views from summit of Knocknarea Mountain. In a clear day, you can see whole County Sligo, including Ox Mountains on the west, Bricklieve Mountains on the south and Dartry Mountains, with unique Benbulben, on the north. Queen Maeve's Tomb is also overlooking another very important Neolithic site, the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, which is one of the largest and oldest megalithic complex in Europe.

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