I was completely blown away by the Loughcrew complex. Driving through, on our way to pick up the key for Cairn T, we were completely surrounded by an amazing landscape. It was spring so the hills were rich with greenery and, every so often, there was a mass of vivid yellow where the gorse was starting to flower.
There seemed to be a treat around every corner. We had Fourwinds as our guide so we were lucky enough to have all the major (and some minor) features pointed out even before we got out of the car. The majority of the features are passage tombs, some of which are still covered but most of which are open and weathering away. There are a few standing stones and we saw the remains of a stone circle from half way up Carnbane East.
As they say in the guidebooks, the Loughcrew complex is a huge graveyard and, as such, it is quite an emotional place. I got a bit teary at the top of Carnbane East partly because of the sheer beauty of my surroundings but also because I could sense the power and ritual of the place. It was obviously a very important part of a Neolithic community and other communities in years to come.
Rock art is in abundance in the area and is a mystery to archaeologists. There are many theories about what it could all mean but I can't even begin to think what significance it had. Whatever it meant, it is nice just to enjoy it and revel in the fact that you are witnessing something that was created 5000 years ago!
Well worth a visit and you could easily spend a day there especially if you're lucky enough to get a sunny day like we did.
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Posted by Abbie
15th April 2002ce
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