How to Visit Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
Read our travel guide on Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery in Ireland. Includes tips on what to expect, how to get, where to stay, or when to go.
Built between 5700 and 5000 years ago, Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is one of Ireland's oldest and most populated tomb clusters.
It has about 60 recorded megalithic monuments, a charming rural setting, and it is considered to be among the most important archaeological sites on Emerald Isle.
It's situated in County Sligo, only a short drive from Sligo town, so it's easily accessible by car.
Thanks to the Carrowmore significance, it is often listed as one of Sligo's best things to do.
It's also a fine example showing how your trip along the Wild Atlantic Way can be diverse.
One day, you will marvel at the cliffs at Downpatrick Head, while the next day, you will hike in Wild Nephin National Park. And then, you will explore ancient history at Carrowmore.
Despite its importance, Carrowmore gives you that off-the-beaten-path feel as it's often overlooked by international visitors to Ireland.
In a nutshell, this is an archaeological treasure for history lovers, but what about the rest of the visitors?
Is Carrowmore worth visiting? Let's find out.
So here's everything you should know about Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery before you go.
Things to Know Before You Go
Cuil Irra peninsula was, a long time ago, one of Ireland's major ritual centers.
During the Neolithic period, Carrowmore was a sacred religious center that played an important role in the daily lives of the people who lived there.
Even though megalithic tombs are what Carrowmore is known for, it's still unclear where these farmers, hunters, and fishermen actually lived on Cuil Irra.
As expected, the entire peninsula is shrouded in mythology, including stories about the Goddes Beara creating the dolmens at Carrowmore, voracious Queen Medb, or the Pursuit of Diarmuid and Grainne.
The legend of Carrowmore is especially interesting. The Goddes Beara flew from Ox Mountain towards Knocknarea while carrying a bunch of stones.
The purpose of her journey was to build a pen for her animals, but some sort of accident happened, and she dropped the stones while soaring through the skies.
The boulders hit the ground hard, creating the area we know today as Carrowmore.
By the way, there are several places in Ireland associated with the Hag of Beara, such as the Cliffs of Moher, Skellig Ring, or Dingle Peninsula.
Keep in mind that there are still a lot of unknowns about the Neolithic period from the scientific point of view.
As a result, the information provided about Carrowmore's megalithic tombs is fairly basic, especially when compared to well-documented, younger places such as Kilkenny Castle or Rock of Cashel.
In other words, being able to appreciate the historical aspect is quite important in order to enjoy your time at Carrowmore.
How to Visit Carrowmore
After hiking the Queen Maeve Trail on nearby Knocknarea Hill, we drove only 4 kilometers to Carrowmore, home to ancient passage tombs, ring circles, cairns, and dolmens.
Not surprisingly, this is one of the most important megalithic sites in Europe.
The parking area was fairly small but easy to find and mostly empty when we arrived there.
Visitor Center
We headed first to the small visitor center in order to buy entrance tickets and learn more about the site itself a bit.
Admittedly, we had never heard about Carrowmore before, so we had no idea what to expect from this site.
Apart from that, it has some passage tombs and dolmens.
The visitor center was tiny, and what surprised us a bit was that we had to pay in cash.
Even more surprising was to find out that there was a €2 deposit for the laminated visitor's guide sheet with a detailed map.
As we didn't have any change, the lady behind the desk lent us the map without the deposit, but we had to leave one ID at the counter, which made us a bit uneasy to be honest. But we did not have any other choice.
Make sure to borrow this paper guide, as it contains all the information you need for this site.
Museum
Before stepping outside, we made our way toward the back of the building, where we found a tiny museum containing a lot of useful information on Carrowmore.
We do suggest exploring it first before wandering off to the actual site.
The laminated map seemed a bit old-school, but when it started to rain, we quickly realized why they had come up with this solution.
The map was very easy to read, making navigating the complex and finding the tombs much easier.
Being said that, the map itself is a great help, but you can do without it if reading maps is not your strong suit, as most tombs are close to each other and clearly visible.
What we are trying to say is there is no way to get lost here. At times, you can also join a guided tour.
Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
Once we emerged on a huge green field, we took the right path and headed toward the first mound with rocks occupying its center.
Another thing we quickly discovered was that there are a lot of megalithic tombs, as the map contains almost sixty stops.
Don't worry; they are scattered across a relatively small area covering one square kilometer, with some located on surrounding private land.
Furthermore, some monuments are just a few stones on the ground
One of the interesting things about Carrowmore is that even though there are about sixty monuments, they are all about the same size.
And compared to the clearly visible Queen Maeve's Cairn, this area is hidden from curious eyes.
Despite the showers, we wandered through the grounds and enjoyed taking in the peaceful views and ancient atmosphere.
Some places are not about the grandeur but more about the unique experience they offer.
And that's where Carrowmore really shines.
Listoghil
With 20 meters in diameter, Listoghil is the largest monument at Carrowmore.
It's situated in the middle of the southern complex and dominates the area.
Listoghil is the only tomb covered with a 4-meter high cairn and has passage tomb art, yet interestingly enough, the box-like chamber inside has no passage.
Unlike the tombs at Newgrange, it can be entered without a guide.
The stones at the modern reconstruction of the Central Tomb, known as Listoghil, are secured with wires to keep the structure from falling apart, so the experience feels a bit artificial.
It's still really awesome that you can walk inside, though.
Northern Walk
On the way back, we returned the map and continued to the other part of the complex.
From the visitor center, we crossed the road on which we arrived and entered the northern part of the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery.
In fact, this area should be visited first according to the map, though we didn't find it necessary.
Honestly, it doesn't matter in which order you proceed. Just keep in mind that if you want to explore this area first, you still need to purchase the ticket at the visitor center.
Even though this area has way fewer dolmens, the large one in the distance is quite impressive.
It has a beautiful setting, and its form reminded us of the Poulnabrone Dolmen we saw earlier in the Burren.
Antler pins, quartz, burnt bones, etc., were found during the digs.
When it was time to return, we simply retraced our steps to our car and set off toward the north.
Some of our next stops were Glencar Waterfall, Mullaghmore Head, and Fairy Bridges near Tullan Strand.
Opening Hours
Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is usually open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, and the last admission is an hour before closing.
However, opening times change with the seasons, so check the official website before you visit.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is usually open only from March to November, though this might change in the future.
Entrance Fee
The entry fee to Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is €5 per adult. Even though it's not completely free, it is well worth the small price of admission.
If you're visiting Ireland on a budget, it's a great alternative to beautiful but otherwise expensive castles such as Blarney Castle or Bunratty Castle.
How Much Time Do I Need
We would say that you should allow yourself about 60 to 90 minutes for Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery.
An hour was approximately the amount of time we needed ourselves to explore both sites at Carrowmore and a visitor center.
Mind you. On a picture-perfect day, we would have probably stayed a bit longer.
When to Go
The period from spring to autumn is a great time to visit Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, with summer being the most popular time when to visit Ireland in general.
The months of July and August offer the best chances for good weather, but the prices for accommodation skyrocket during this period.
We visited the Carrowmore in the shoulder season, and the site felt very quiet.
Carrowmore is usually closed troughout the winter.
While this period is the best to get away from crowds, it also has some major drawbacks such as this one.
What to Pack
Carrowmore is basically a big open field with grassy paths connecting the dolmens.
Make sure you have comfortable walking shoes and clothing according to the weather.
The fields were open, and it rained while we were there, so our trusty rain jacket really came in handy.
A good sunscreen should be in your daypack in summer, as there are only a few places to hide from the sun.
In the off-season, you will need an extra layer to stay nice and warm.
Here is our complete Ireland packing list.
How to Get There
Like many places in Ireland, the easiest way to get to Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is by car.
Driving in Ireland is relatively easy compared to what you often hear. However, you need to take extra care if you're driving on the left side of the road for the first time.
Luckily, the L3508 that connects Carrowmore with Ransboro and Sligo town has two lanes, making it easier for drivers to navigate this rural road.
In case you opt for this mode of transport, you will find more tips on renting a car in Ireland here.
Alternatively, you can also get there by taxi, bike, or local bus.
Car
Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is located only five kilometers southwest of Sligo town.
The trip between these two places is very straightforward and won't take more than 10 minutes.
It takes about an hour to get to Carrowmore from Donegal via N15 or about two hours from Galway via N17.
Dublin is less than a three-hour drive from Carrowmore.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Taxi
As Carrowmore is so close to Sligo town, taking a taxi, might be a good alternative for those who don't want to rent a car in Ireland.
The cab to Carrowmore and back won't be exactly cheap but will save you a lot of time and hassle if you don't have a car.
Public Transport
Bus 981, operated by TFI Local Link Donegal Sligo Leitrim, also stops near Carrowmore, though this option is far from being convenient. We would avoid it if possible.
Parking
Carrowmore has a relatively small parking lot with around 20 parking spaces right next to the visitor center.
In spring, only a few cars were parked there, so we had no problem finding an empty space. On a busy summer weekend, this might be a different story, though.
Parking at Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is free.
Where to Stay
When it comes to accommodation near Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, Coolera Peninsula has a good selection of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and family houses.
It has plenty of hotels for every type of budget, though be prepared that finding truly cheap accommodation in Ireland is not easy.
Sligo, the largest town in this area, is the gateway to Coolera Peninsula. Therefore, it's your safest bet if you want to spend a night on the peninsula.
Another popular town here is Strandill, situated in the western part of the peninsula.
Alternatively, plenty of bed and breakfasts are scattered throughout County Sligo if you prefer a relaxing stay in the countryside.
Not surprisingly, prices go up in popular tourist destinations in summer, and Coolera Peninsula is no exception. Make sure to book early to take advantage of lower rates.
Sligo | The Glasshouse - Set on the Garravogue River in Sligo's center, this hotel has affordable rates, a modern design, chic and stylish rooms, great food, and a fantastic location for exploring Coolera Peninsula.
Sligo | Sligo Park Hotel - If you're looking for more luxury, this beautiful hotel boasts spacious rooms, comfortable beds, great facilities, a superb restaurant, and a relaxing atmosphere. It is set in a quiet location a 15-minute walk from Sligo town center and offers free private parking.
Strandhill | Strandhill Lodge and Suites - Set in the small town of Strandhill, less than a 10-minute drive from the Carrowmore and close to the beach, this hotel has everything you need and much more. Free parking is available at the hotel.
Staying Safe
Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is, in general, a very place to visit.
This is a tranquil place, and the whole area is easily explored on foot.
As there are no steep cliffs, treacherous currents, or trails without markers, Carrowmore is as safe as it gets.
In general, staying safe in Ireland is fairly easy, as it's basically just about using your common sense.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery Worth Visiting?
With so much history and heritage, Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is definitely worth seeing, at least when touring County Sligo.
Sure, it's not as impressive as Bru na Boinne, but the historical value is there.
On top of that, it offers almost an intimate experience without crowds.
Even if you're not a fan of the Neolithic period but have a slight interest in history, you can easily spend an hour wandering the grounds.
If history has never really been your thing, then Carrowmore will provide you with a nice walk on a grassy field among really old rocks, though you will probably leave bored or, even worse, yawning.
Jokes aside, as we enjoyed our trip to Carrowmore, we feel it was a great addition to our Ireland road trip itinerary.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
