Visited the #Carrowkeel megalithic complex above #Boyle over the weekend - spectacular setting particularly the view towards Sligo & Benbulbin. The 14 cairns were in use for a 1000 years from 5,500 to 4,500 years ago.
This is a 2nd #cycling thread, also featuring neolithic but this time in Ireland & specifically #Keash #Carrowkeel and #Rathcrongan before I cycle all along the #RoyalCanal to Dublin https://x.com/andrewflood/status/1165187678683488256
The approach to #Carrowkeel is off a minor road. There is a car park, then a gate and this track to a 2nd car park, then a rough chipping track to just below the monuments. With puncture resistance tyres you can cycle to that final bit and lock your bike to the sign /11
#Carrowkeel is a large complex of neolithic monuments from 5,500 years ago. The bog in which they are found only grew there after they were built. They are on #Bricklieve hills which translates as speckled hills probably because the cairns were once covered with quartz /9
The cycle from Kaesh to #Carrowkeel is on very quiet roads but does involve a long heartbreaking climb. The map gives an idea of the proximity of the two sites - the cairn on #Keshcorran is visible from Carrowkeel and may well have been a focal point for gatherings /7
#CycleTourism thread starting Ballymote then #Neolithic caves of #Kaesh & #Carrowkeel on to #IronAge sites at #Rathcroghan turning to head to the Shannon across which I then started following #RoyalCanal to Dublin via #Mullingar https://cycle.travel/map/journey/122692 /1
