Some quick need-to-knows about Loughcrew

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1. Location
Loughcrew is situated in the northwest of County Meath, in Oldcastle. It’s a 20-minute drive from both Kells and Castlepollard, a 30-minute drive from Navan and a 75-minute drive from Dublin Airport.2. Parking
You’ll find a small parking area (here on Google Maps) right at the start of the Loughcrew walk. There’s space for around 10 cars, once people park properly. The start of the trail is nice and visible from the car park.3. A tough walk
If you want to reach the top of the hill at Loughcrew, make sure to bring a nice pair of comfortable shoes with you. The climb to the top is very steep, however, it’s relatively short and should take around 20 – 25 minutes.4. Views galore
Climbing to the top of the hill may be challenging at times but the reward is worth it. The view from Loughcrew is breathtaking! On a clear day, it’s said that a whopping 18 counties are visible from its ‘summit’.5. Never climb the cairn
Please, please, please avoid climbing the cairn. Despite extensive signage, people still climb this ancient structure and damage it little-by-little in the process.The history of Loughcrew

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Bronze and iron age
The remains of around 20 ancient tombs can be found at Loughcrew, each of which is said to offer evidence from different period of history (there’s also several Celtic symbols present). A pin dating back to the Bronze Age was found in one of the cairns (‘Cairn T’) while bone dating to the Iron Age was found in another (Cairn H).The discovery
The first one to mention Loughcrew Cairns in modern history was Louisa Beaufort, an Irish antiquarian, in 1828. Later, in 1863, a man from Trim named Eugene Conwell became infatuated with Loughcrew, after visiting with his wife. He ended up being the first to excavate Loughcrew, and he found several bone pins, stone balls and beads in the process.Further excavations and later years
Conwell’s initial excavation sparked interest and it was the driving force behind the follow up, which was done by Joseph Raftery – an archaeologist and director of the National Museum of Ireland. Today only some of the cairns can be visited. In particular, Carnbane East, the main part of the complex, is owned by the Irish state, however, Carnbane West is situated upon private land, and can only be seen from afar.Things to see and do at Loughcrew

1. The walk
The climb up Loughcrew is one of my favourite walks in Meath, and it’s a nice, short stroll that’s hard to beat while the sun is setting. Throw on a pair of runners with good grip and start the trail from the car park, where you’ll need to conquer a flight of steps, first, before being greeted by some of the finest countryside in this corner of Ireland.2. The cairn and tombs
The megalithic monuments at Loughcrew are spread across four different hills: Carrickbrack, Patrickstown Hill, Carnbane West and Carnbane East. Together with the hills they sit upon, these sites are known as Sliabh na Caillí. This translates to ‘Mountain of the Cailleach’ (Cailleach was one of the more prominent Irish mythical creatures). According to legend, this site was formed when a giant hag dropped a large number of stones from her apron spreading them all over the surroundings. More than twenty ancient tombs were found on this site. Many contain a cruciform chamber that has been covered by a mound while others are covered with Megalithic art. Even though, according to Irish mythology, damaging these types of ancient tombs brings bad luck, parts of Loughcrew have been vandalised with graffiti. Please be respectful when you visit.3. The view
The view from Loughcrew really is outstanding. Although its just over 900 feet in height, it’s the highest point in Meath, and the view packs a punch. If you visit when the weather’s fine, you’ll have a panoramic view of patchwork-like green fields as far as the eye can see.4. The equinoxes
In 1980, Martin Brennan, an American-Irish researcher, discovered that, during the spring and autumn equinoxes, the back stone in Cairn T was illuminated by the light of the rising sun. Nowadays, during both occurrences, the OPW opens the entrance to the passage so that people can enter the chamber to see this amazing phenomenon. The passage is quite narrow, so people only manage to enter in small groups of five or six.Loughcrew gardens, glamping and megalithic centre

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1. Loughcrew glamping and camping
You’ll find one of the more unique places to go glamping in Meath a stones throw from Loughcrew, in the megalithic centre. Here, you’ll find several cosy yurts which are available to rent. You can also go camping at Loughcrew, if you fancy, and the campsite here boasts mighty views to boot!2. Loughcrew gardens
If you’re looking for family-friendly walks in Meath, head on over to Loughcrew Gardens for a nosey around. There’s fairy trails for the kids, the remains of a medieval motte and some ancient trees, too. There’s even an enchanted garden at certain times of the year.3. Loughcrew Megalithic Centre
Loughcrew Megalithic Centre is a good starting point to explore the area from. Here, you can join one of three tours, if you’d like to be guided. Or, if you just fancy a pick-me-up, you can nip into the cafe.Things to do near Loughcrew Cairns
One of the beauties of Loughcrew is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best things to do in Meath. Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Loughcrew Cairns (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).1. Fore Abbey (20-minute drive)

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2. Mullaghmeen Forest (15-minute drive)

Courtesy of Westmeath County Council
3. Tullynally Castle Gardens (20-minute drive)

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4. Deerpark Forest Walk (20-minute drive)
