Knocknarea & Queen Maeve's Cairn
Cnoc na Riabh
A 327-meter hill west of town, topped by a giant cairn about 5,000 years old, said to be the burial place of Queen Maeve, with panoramic views over Sligo Bay.
Queen Maeve's Cairn on the summit of Knocknarea is about 55 meters in diameter and 10 meters high. It is one of the largest unexcavated Neolithic tombs in Ireland, and it is traditionally believed to be the resting place of Queen Maeve of Connacht. The main trail starts from the Queen Maeve Trail car park on the eastern side of the hill. The round trip takes about 1 to 1.5 hours and follows gravel steps and wooden boardwalks. From the top you get a 360-degree view over Strandhill Beach, Sligo Bay, Benbulben, and Carrowmore. By tradition, visitors may carry a stone up the hill, but please do not climb on the cairn or take any of its stones. Entry is free, and the wind can be strong, so bring a windbreaker.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Strandhill Beach
- Coney Island (Sligo)
- Rosses Point
- Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
- Lissadell House
- Sligo County Museum
- Sligo Abbey
- Drumcliffe Churchyard (Yeats's Grave)