CarrowmoreAbout Carrowmore
Carrowmore is a major Neolithic megalithic cemetery on a low limestone ridge in County Sligo, northwest Ireland, and contains one of the country’s largest concentrations of early passage tombs.
The site includes a broad spread of chambered tombs, low stone circles and cairns arranged around a prominent central cairn; many monuments are accessible on foot and interpreted for visitors. The ensemble dates to the Neolithic and is a key site for Ireland’s prehistoric archaeology.
The tombs were constructed in the 4th millennium BC by early farming communities and have been the subject of archaeological investigation and conservation; some monuments contain human remains and carved stones recovered in excavations.
Carrowmore lies close to the town of Sligo on the Coolera peninsula, in a rural coastal landscape of low limestone ridges and pastureland in northwestern Ireland.
- Scale: Comprises roughly thirty Neolithic passage tombs and associated monuments, making it one of Ireland’s largest megalithic complexes.
What to See#
- Listoghil (central cairn): A large central cairn and monument known as Listoghil, which forms the focal point of the complex and sits on the highest part of the site.
- Passage tombs: A spread of roughly thirty passage tombs and small megalithic monuments arranged over a low limestone ridge and grouped in clusters.
- Stone circles and cairns: Low stone circles, standing stones and cairns that form part of the surrounding ritual landscape and cemetery layout.
Nearby Attractions to Carrowmore
Best Time to Visit Carrowmore
Late spring to early autumn offers the best access and gentler weather for exploring stone circles and cairns.
Weather & Climate near Carrowmore
Carrowmore's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1310 mm/year), wettest in December.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 143 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 99 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.5h |
| March | Poor | 3° - 10° | 3° | 113 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 5° - 12° | 5° | 69 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 13.9h |
| May | Acceptable | 7° - 15° | 11° | 75 mm | overcast | 83% | 5.2 m/s | 1.1 high | 15.8h |
| June | Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 77 mm | overcast | 83% | 5.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.9h |
| July | Good | 11° - 18° | 15° | 82 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.4h |
| August | Acceptable | 11° - 18° | 15° | 102 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.8 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 14.7h |
| September | Acceptable | 9° - 16° | 13° | 116 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.3 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 13° | 10° | 142 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.3h |
| November | Poor | 4° - 10° | 4° | 145 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.3h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 8° | 2° | 147 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.1h |
How to Get to Carrowmore
Carrowmore is located about 6 km south of Sligo town. Drive via the N4 and local roads; limited parking is provided at the interpretive centre. Local tour operators in Sligo also include Carrowmore on archaeological day-trips.
Tips for Visiting Carrowmore
- Wear shoes suitable for uneven, grassy ground - some stones are low and weathered.
- Visit early morning to avoid the worst of midges in summer and to catch the soft light on stones.
- Bring a guidebook or local guide: the site's landscape of passages and cairns is easier to read with a map.