Not All Tombs Are Created Equal

I spent the weekend hunting megalithic tombs in Co. Sligo. Now, you know me. You know I won't get out of bed for anything younger than the pyramids, and these beauties have at least 500 years on their Egyptian cousins.

The first thing that struck me as I puffed my way up to the top of the hill at Carrowkeel, was that these people really knew how to die. The views here were some of the best I have ever experienced with stunning scenery visible in all of the cardinal directions.


But the really amazing thing about these tombs, was the fact that, on hands and knees, we were able to crawl inside them, and once there, to stand up straight and admire a ceiling that, 5000 years after the death of its builders, still keeps out every drop of moisture. It was an incredible feeling.

Outside again, and in the distance we could see the curiously shaped Ben Bulbin mountain and the faintest shadow of Knocknarea where Queen Maeve is said to lie buried in full armour, facing north towards her enemies. So, yeah, after a quick stop off to see the numerous dolmens and stone circles of Carrowmore, we had to pay our respects to her majesty. However, if she is buried there, she is as much of an interloper as we were -- for she lived halfway between our time and that of the original inhabitants of the area.


Again, the views were beyond spectacular, and I was thinking, sure you can't blame her for pushing into the bed beside our common ancestors. I wouldn't mind it for myself when my own time comes.

I hope you all had a great weekend too!