Cashel Cairn facts for kids

Imagine a huge pile of stones built thousands of years ago! That's a cairn, and Cashel Cairn is a special one located in County Mayo, Ireland. It's so important that it's protected as a National Monument by the Irish government. This ancient structure gives us clues about the people who lived in Ireland a very long time ago.

What is a Cairn?

A cairn is basically a human-made pile of stones. People have been building them for thousands of years, all over the world. They can be small, like a simple marker, or very large, like Cashel Cairn.

Why Were Cairns Built?

Ancient people built cairns for many different reasons. Some of the most common uses include:

• Burial Sites: Many cairns were used as tombs or monuments for the dead. They often covered burial chambers where important people were laid to rest.
• Landmarks: They could mark important places, like a boundary between territories or a path through difficult terrain.
• Ceremonial Sites: Some cairns were used for religious ceremonies or gatherings.
• Astronomical Markers: A few cairns might have been built to align with the sun, moon, or stars, helping ancient people track the seasons.

Cashel Cairn's History

Cashel Cairn is incredibly old! It was built between 4000 and 2500 BC. This means it dates back to the Neolithic period, also known as the New Stone Age. This was a time when people in Ireland were starting to farm, build permanent homes, and create amazing stone monuments.

Who Built It?

The people who built Cashel Cairn were early farmers and settlers in Ireland. They were skilled at working with stone and had a deep understanding of their environment. Building a large cairn like Cashel Cairn would have taken a lot of effort and cooperation from many people. It shows that these communities were well-organized and had shared beliefs or purposes.

What Was Its Purpose?

While we can't know for sure the exact purpose of every ancient monument, Cashel Cairn was likely a significant burial site or a ceremonial place for the community that built it. Its size and location suggest it was an important landmark in the ancient landscape of County Mayo.

Location

Cashel Cairn is found in a beautiful part of County Mayo, in the west of Ireland. It is located about 4.8 kilometers (or about 3 miles) north of a town called Killala. It sits to the west of Killala Bay, which is a large inlet of the Atlantic Ocean. Its position might have been chosen for its views or its importance to the ancient people living near the coast.

Why is Cashel Cairn Important Today?

Cashel Cairn is important because it's a direct link to Ireland's ancient past. It helps archaeologists and historians understand:

• Ancient Beliefs: What did people believe about life and death thousands of years ago?
• Early Societies: How were communities organized? How did they work together?
• Technological Skills: How did they move and stack such large stones without modern tools?

By protecting monuments like Cashel Cairn, we can learn more about the people who came before us and appreciate their incredible achievements.