Rock of ages

Not even a pandemic can stop the power of history in its tracks.

Part of the Irish landscape for over 4,500 years, Dolmen tombs have earned iconic status.

The Sligo Community Archaeology Project, alongside the Heritage

Council, has been out in search of hidden prehistoric treasures.

They struck rock gold recently when archaeologist Tamlyn Tamlyn McHugh, pictured, spotted some rare art on a large boulder in Cloghcor. “Ireland’s archaeological heritage can be found everywhere, in our cities, towns and villages, and most abundantly in our countryside where despite modernisation and changing agricultural practices we have preserved some of the world’s finest monuments,” she says. McHugh has worked on a wide variety of excavations in her career to date, the most recent of which was a Bronze Age flat cemetery with cremation burials in Co. Donegal.

While some monuments, such as her most recent discovery, are on private land or working farms and so off limits to the public there are many more that can be visited.

Amongst these are nd Newgrange Passage Tomb and The Hill of Tara, with its complex of mounds and enclosures, both located in Co. Meath.

Drombeg stone circle in Co. Cork is worth a visit, as is Beltany stone circle in Co. Donegal.

“A favourite of mine is the breath-taking Poulnabrone Portal Tomb in the Burren in Co. Clare,” says Tamlyn, who dreamed of becoming an archaeologist as a child. Another lesser-known Burren exists in Co. Cavan where prehistoric rock art has been discovered and several court tombs dot the karst limestone landscape. “I would also highly recommend a visit to settlement sites, amongst these are the impressive stone forts of Staigue Fort in Co. Kerry, An Grianan of Aileach in Co. Donegal and not for the faint-hearted Dún Aonghasa, Inis Mor Co. Galway,” she adds. Citizen archaeologists are encouraged to look out for and report artefacts, but there are a few rules to follow. “Archaeological sites are protected under the National Monuments Acts, which makes it illegal is disturb or use a metal detector,” Tamlyn says. “If you do find an artefact it is imperative to report it to the National Museum of Ireland and a new site must be reported to the National Monuments Service.” Sligo’s scenery is stunning, think Benbulben for a start, and its archaeological and mythological heritage is just as rich.

The county has over 6,500 recorded sites and monuments, from prehistoric shell middens, tombs and mounds to medieval churches and castles. “Creevykeel court tomb is located outside Cliffoney village on the Wild Atlantic

Way and is an impressive monument to behold,” says Tamlyn, who has have worked as a professional archaeologist in Ireland for 20 years since graduating from University College Cork.

“Another court tomb can be found at Deerpark through a gentle walk in beautiful woodland. In Sligo we also have one of the most uniquely-sited passage tombs, unbelievably located on a roundabout within Abbeyquarter, an area of Sligo town overlooking Lough Gill.” Sligo’s largest passage tomb is Miosgan Meadhbha, situated on Knocknarea Mountain dominating the skyline.

“But don’t climb on the cairn as it is a sacred place and reputed to be the burial place of the legendary Maeve Queen of Connacht,” Tamyln says, adding no visit to the county would be complete without a trip to Carrowmore megalithic cemetery. Avail of a guided tour for the full experience.

So if you’re in search of a little mystery in your life, this summer is the perfect time to get up-close to one of these magnificent ancient monuments.