Carrowmore Megalithic Tombs, Sligo

Under the watchful eye of Queen Maeve's grave on top of Knocknarea, we arrived at Carrowmore Megalithic Tombs in Co.Sligo. 
What is special about Carrowmore is that it is the largest cemetery of megalithic tombs in Ireland. The site is managed by the Office of public works, and a small visitor center is located at the site.
Nowadays, approx. 30 monuments survive although it is thought that approx. 60 existed, but some got lost during the 18th & 19th century due to quarrying and field clearing. The visitor center opens it's doors from March to October and provides guided tours and self guided mult- lingual tours. Most of the tombs are satellite tombs which circle the main cairn called Listoghil (cairn 51). The small satellite tombs existed out of a central megalith burial chamber which is surrounded by a stone circle.  

Cairn 51 or Listoghil has been restored and is an impressive sight with Benbulben in the background.
It was erected around 3500BC and is 34 meters in diameter. It has a box shaped chamber with the only megalithic art found at Carrowmore. 

We met the lovely Marian, Ellen and Joanna who were visiting the tombs as well. Marian used to run the Red Cottage B&B in Sligo town where now it is her daughter Karen who runs this busy B&B (https://www.redcottagesligo.com/). Her friend Ellen was over for a visit from Tipperary where Joanna was over from Poland to visit some friends.
Sligo is worth a visit, and if you are interested in megalithic history, you won't be disappointed with all the avaliable tourist attractions... ( www.choosesligo.com)