5 Reasons Loughcrew Cairns Is One of the Best Sites in Ireland

Loughcrew Cairns is one of the best sites in Ireland.

Have you heard of it?

Well if you haven’t then I’m here to tell you all about it because I love ❤️ this ancient site.

It’s definitely very special and worthy of time.

Okay, you know the drill.

We’ll start with the where.

Where is this ancient site?

Loughcrew is located in the western part of County Meath which is also the home to Newgrange, Knowth and the Hill of Tara.

Specifically it is near a settlement called Corstown and not far from the village of Oldcastle.

Kells is a larger nearby town that sits to the East.

Loughcrew Cairns is not in a town, but rather it sits out in the rural landscape.

A car is the best way to get there although you may be able to find some tours that do include this special place.

Why Loughcrew Cairns are one of the best sites in Ireland

There is a lot to see

As I said, I only visited Carbane East.

And there are actually quite a few stone remnants at this location scattered about the hill.

I didn’t even get to Carnbane West!

So Loughcrew Cairns has quite a bit to explore.

Now some of it is very much in ruins.

So you do have to use your imagination in some cases.

But there are some cairns that are still well preserved.

There is rock art as well as the passage tombs and some burial chambers.

This megalithic site does need some time to really see it all.

It’s not heavily touristed

Loughcrew Cairns is not on the main tourist trail.

Newgrange and Knowth are.

Don’t get me wrong as Newgrange and Knowth are very worthy of time.

Love these sites!

But Loughcrew Cairns is a bit away from these better known attractions and takes a bit more know how to get to.

The result is less people visiting.

And I’m always a fan of places that are not so heavily touristed.

I visited Loughcrew Cairns in mid-to-late May, late in the afternoon.

There were only a couple of other people there.

It was bliss!

The surrounding landscape is sublime

Okay.

I admit that I got lucky with the weather on my visit to this ancient site — no rain, mix of sun and clouds and not too windy.

But I have to say that one reason Loughcrew Cairns is one of the best sites in Ireland is its gorgeous location.

Which is definitely more evident on a good Irish weather day!

These cairns are up on hills surrounded by more hills and valleys — pastoral, agricultural land.

The landscape is serene, beautiful, sublime.

Sheep and cow dot the green hills.

Yellow gorse bloom in spring.

Cow bells clang in the wind.

Views to more green hills.

*Sigh*

It’s really stunning.

It’s FREE

Yup.

Loughcrew Cairns is free.

Free sites are always a good thing.

And when free sites are as awesome as this one?

Even better.

Now you aren’t going to necessarily get a guide (see below) so you are looking at things that you may say, “I have no idea what I’m looking at!”

Fair enough.

I’d recommend reading up on this amazing megalithic site so you get an idea of what it’s all about.

I have some resources at the bottom of the post for you.

Of course, it’s still all a mystery.

So if you want to just use your imagination, that’s fine too.

You get to commune with the ancient spirits and use your imagination

Yes this is a two-fer

And I get that the first part of this reason may not appeal to some of you.

That’s fine.

I may be a little out there when it comes to communing with the ancient spirits.

But I think you can kind of feel the presence of the people who built these megalithic structures.

This definitely holds true for Loughcrew Cairns.

If this isn’t your thing then maybe you simply enjoy using imagination — to envision what the people where like, what their rituals might have been like and what these structures looked like when they were new.

Loughcrew Cairns is a fantastic ancient site to let your imagination go.

Final thoughts and some tips on this amazing site

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know that I’m a huge fan of megalithic sites such as Loughcrew Cairns.

But Loughcrew Cairns is truly one of my favorites.

I love that there are a lot of different ruins there to see and to explore.

I love that the location is out in the rural landscape and is so beautiful.

And I really love that it’s under the radar a bit, seeing fewer tourists.

The last thing I want to point out is that I saw locals, simply out for a late day walk, one person with her dog.

So the locals love this site too!

I plan to return to Carnbane East and then go to Carnbane West to explore it.

It’s my hope that you have now put this fascinating site on your Ireland list.

Tip 1: Do note that there is also a Loughcrew Estate and Gardens. This is NOT where the Cairns are located so do not go here. I used Google Maps, putting in Loughcrew Cairns and it worked.

Tip 2: During the summer months, there are often OPW — Office of Public Works — guides at the site doing tours. Check this site for more information.

Some resources:

Loughcrew Cairns Megalithic Centre

Knowth.com

Loughcrew Estate 

Please note that Wander Your Way does not recommend travel at this time due to the current global health situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, many destinations and attractions found on this website will not be operating although some places have opened. Please stay up to date using official sources like the WHO and CDC. I do plan to continue to write about incredible destinations and to offer tips on travel to Europe, so that you will find some solace in these posts — so you dream about travel and learn about travel. This way when we can all travel again, you’ll be ready to go! For now, stay home (or close to home) and stay safe!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means I will earn a commission – at no extra cost to you — if you click on the link and purchase anything from these trusted companies. It helps Wander Your Way, a small business, stay in business. Thanks for your support!

Like it? Pin it!