Carricknagat Megalithic Tombs facts for kids

The Carricknagat Megalithic Tombs are ancient burial sites found in County Sligo, Ireland. These amazing stone structures are also a National Monument, which means they are protected because they are very important to Ireland's history.

Where are the Carricknagat Tombs?

You can find Carricknagat in a beautiful area of County Sligo. It is located about halfway between the towns of Ballygawley and Ballintogher. The site is also close to where the Ballisodare River begins its journey.

History of Carricknagat

These incredible tombs were built a very long time ago, between 4000 and 2500 BC. This was during a period called the Neolithic Age, also known as the New Stone Age. People at that time used large stones to create these burial places.

The name "Carricknagat" means "the cats' stone" or "the pine martens' stone." In ancient times, people sometimes believed that wild animals like cats or pine martens might represent the spirits of those who had passed away.

What Do the Tombs Look Like?

There are two main tombs at Carricknagat, each with its own special design.

The West Tomb: Giant's Grave

The tomb on the western side is known as the Giant's Grave. It is a type of tomb called a wedge-shaped gallery grave. This means it gets narrower at one end, like a wedge.

The main part of this tomb is a long room, or gallery, that faces towards the south-southeast. This gallery is divided into two sections by large upright stones called jambs. The back section of the tomb is about 2 meters (7 feet) long.

The East Tomb: Dermot & Grania's Bed

The tomb on the eastern side is a dolmen. A dolmen is a type of megalithic tomb made of two or more upright stones supporting a large flat capstone.

This dolmen is traditionally called "Dermot & Grania's Bed." This name comes from an old Irish legend, The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne, about two lovers who were on the run.