Heapstown Cairn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heapstown Cairn |
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| Native name Irish: Carn Ochtriallach |
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| Type | cairn |
| Location | Heapstown, Riverstown, County Sligo, Ireland |
| Area | 0.4 ha (0.99 acres) |
| Elevation | 65 m (213 ft) |
| Height | 6 m (20 ft) |
| Built | c. 3000 BC |
| Official name: Heapstown | |
| Reference no. | 152 |
Heapstown Cairn is a very old stone mound, or cairn, found in County Sligo, Ireland. It's also a National Monument, which means it's a special protected site. This huge pile of stones has been around for thousands of years!
Contents
Where is Heapstown Cairn?
Heapstown Cairn is located right next to Lough Arrow, a beautiful lake. It is about 2.1 kilometers (1.3 miles) northwest of Ballindoon Friary.
History of Heapstown Cairn
When Was It Built?
Heapstown Cairn was built a very long time ago, around 3000 BC. That's about 5,000 years ago! Experts believe it might cover a passage grave. A passage grave is a special type of ancient tomb with a stone-lined passage leading to a burial chamber.
Connections to Other Ancient Sites
This cairn is thought to be connected to the Carrowkeel Megalithic Cemetery. Carrowkeel is another important ancient site with many tombs. It is located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) southeast of Heapstown.
Old Stories and Legends
According to old Irish stories, Heapstown Cairn is the burial place of a person named Ailill mac Echach Mugmedóin. He was the brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages, a famous king from ancient Ireland.
One legend about the cairn comes from a story called the Second Battle of Moytura (Cath Maige Tuired). In this tale, the Tuatha Dé Danann were a group of magical people. They had a special healing well called Sláine. Their enemies, the Fomorians, wanted to stop them from using it. A Fomorian warrior named Ochtriallach suggested they fill the well with stones. Because of this, the cairn became known as Carn Ochtriallach, which means "Ochtriallach's cairn."
What Happened to the Cairn?
In 1837, the cairn was still very tall, with a standing stone on top. But over time, many of its stones were taken away. People used them to build roads, which changed the cairn's original size.
What Does Heapstown Cairn Look Like?
The cairn is about 57 meters (187 feet) wide. It stands about 6 meters (20 feet) high. Around its base, there is a ring of limestone blocks. This ring is called a kerb. It likely marks the edge of the ancient burial site. It is believed that a passage grave is hidden underneath all the stones.
