Sligo Archaeological Tour

We begin at Carrowmore, Irelands largest megalithic cemetery including 'Listoghill (Tomb 51) (4840-4370 BC) and the most photographed Tomb 7. We hear how Carrowmore fits into this archaeological Landscape. 'Miosgán Maebhbha' (Maeve's Cairn) overlooks Carrowmore from the lofty heights of Knocknarea Mountain. The climb is worth the view of the scenery and this monument dating from 3,000 BC is steeped in Mythology and Legends.

Sligo translates from Gaelic to 'The place of the Shells'. We now have a look at Culleenamore Shell Middens and these are the remains of the kitchen of the Neolithic tomb builders. Heapstone Cairn (man made stone mound) is the largest Cairn outside of the Boyne Valley this Cairn is 60m in diameter. Close by is the Labby rock an extraordinary example of a portal dolman having a capstone of 70 tonnes. We hear of the Mythical Nuala who is reputed to be buried here in an area where the Battle of Moytura took place and hear how this battle influenced the modern "Star Wars" story. Visit Creevykeel court tomb that was excavated by the Harvard University Archaeological Expedition. What did they find and what was the monument used for in the Early Christian Period?.

At Lisnalug, meaning the Fort of the Hollows, there is a circular embankment 150m in diameter but this is not a defensive monument, it most likely was a ceremonial place or an amphitheatre for possibly games or theatrical productions.

In the Christian period we have Priories, Friaries, Monasteries all worthy of a visit particularly, Drumcliff where Colmcille had a monastery in 574AD and where the poet W.B Yeates is buried. St John's Cathedral is the oldest building in Sligo in daily use dating from 1730s and is on the site of the Knights Hospitallers Hospital of 1242. Ballymote Castle, Ballinafad Castle, Nolan's Castle and the Green Fort are also worth a visit as is Innismurray Island, one of the gems in the Sligo archaeological crown.