Carns Cairn facts for kids

Carns Cairn is an ancient stone mound, known as a cairn, found in County Sligo, Ireland. It is also a National Monument, which means it's a very important historical site protected by the government.

Where is Carns Cairn Located?

Carns Cairn is nestled in Carns Forest. This forest is located between the town of Sligo and the beautiful Lough Gill. It's a peaceful spot, perfect for exploring history.

The Ancient History of Carns Cairn

This amazing cairn is believed to have been built around 3000 BC. That's about 5,000 years ago! This time period is called the Neolithic era, or the New Stone Age. During this time, people were starting to farm and build permanent settlements.

Carns Cairn was built around the same time as another famous ancient site: Queen Maeve's Cairn. That one sits on top of Knocknarea mountain, not too far away. These large stone structures show how skilled and organized people were thousands of years ago.

What is a Cairn?

A cairn is a human-made pile of stones. In ancient times, cairns were often used for important purposes, like:

• Burial sites: Many cairns were built over tombs or graves. They served as lasting memorials for important people.
• Landmarks: They could mark paths or boundaries.
• Ceremonial places: Some cairns were used for special rituals or gatherings.

Carns Cairn is thought to be a burial cairn. It would have covered a tomb or chamber where ancient people were laid to rest.

What Does Carns Cairn Look Like?

Carns Cairn is a very large cairn. It has a flat top and is quite impressive. It measures about 60 meters (almost 200 feet) across in one direction and 55 meters (about 180 feet) in the other. It stands about 7 meters (about 23 feet) high. Imagine how much work it took to pile up all those stones without modern machinery!

The size of the cairn suggests it was a very important place for the people who built it. It shows their respect for the dead and their connection to the land.