Queen Maeve’s Tomb is a prehistoric cairn, rich in tales and legends! The story goes that it is the royal tomb of Queen Maeve (or Medb), an important figure in Irish mythology! A must-see for fans!
Located not far from Knocknarea in County Sligo, Queen Maeve’s tomb has a mythological aura that is more than palpable! The tomb is said to be that of an ambitious and tyrannical former queen, to whom many chapters are dedicated in the manuscript “Cooley’s Cow Raid”.
Today, the cairn is virtually intact, taking the form of a gigantic stone mound enclosing a corridor tomb. Although the cairn is dated to prehistoric times (during the Neolithic period), many Irish believe it to be the site of a royal tomb. The cairn is over ten metres high, and forms a circular structure of limestone stones and earth: the perfect combination to create a watertight, airtight tomb!
In any case, the site is magnificent, and you’ll need to do a bit of walking to get there. Although you can’t get inside the enclosure, you can walk around the site and admire the cairn’s typically prehistoric architecture!
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
south-east of Knocknarea, Strandhill (County Sligo) - Republic of Ireland
54.258635, -8.574047
45 minutes
3.87/5 (15 votes)