Knockroe Passage Tomb facts for kids
The western chamber
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 Location in Ireland
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| Location | Knockroe, County Kilkenny |
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| Coordinates | 52°25′54″N 7°23′59″W / 52.43167°N 7.39972°W |
| Type | Passage tomb |
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| Periods | Neolithic |
Knockroe Passage Tomb is a very old site from the Neolithic period. This was a time long ago when people first started farming. The tomb is in County Kilkenny, Ireland, near a town called Carrick-on-Suir.
Locally, people sometimes call this special place "The Caiseal". It is protected as a National Monument by the Irish government. This means it's an important historical site that must be preserved.
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Discovering Knockroe Passage Tomb
Knockroe Passage Tomb is a type of ancient burial site. It was built by people living in Ireland thousands of years ago. These tombs often have a long entrance passage leading to a central room or chamber.
What Makes Knockroe Special?
Knockroe Passage Tomb has two main rooms, or "chambers". The larger room is on the western side of the site. It's built in a very clever way.
The Winter Solstice Alignment
The western chamber is aligned so that the sunlight shines directly down its passageway. This happens during sunset on the shortest day of the year, which is the winter solstice. This shows how much ancient people understood about the sun and seasons.
Ancient Art and Stones
Many of the stones inside the passageway have special artwork carved into them. These carvings are very old and tell us about the beliefs of the people who built the tomb. You can also see white Quartz stones scattered around the site. These might have formed a wall at the entrances to the tomb.
Originally, these chambers would have been covered with earth. This would have made them look like large mounds in the landscape.
Similar Ancient Sites
Knockroe Passage Tomb shares similarities with other famous ancient tombs in Ireland. Two well-known examples are Newgrange and Knowth. Both of these are located in County Meath. These sites show that people in ancient Ireland had amazing building skills.
Learning from the Past
Archaeologists have been studying Knockroe Passage Tomb for many years. University College Dublin experts, led by Muiris O'Sullivan, have carried out excavations. These digs help us learn more about the people who built and used this incredible ancient monument.
