Carrowkeel Cairn G

Carrowkeel Summer Solstice

The Carrowkeel cairns are in the Bricklieve Mountains in County Sligo. Cairn G has a roofbox above the entrance, similar to Newgrange. The sun enters the chamber through the roofbox at sunset on the days around the summer solstice, illuminating the back of the chamber.

Carrowkeel Cairn G is estimated to be 700 years older than Newgrange, it is smaller and less sophisticated, the passage is two meters long compared with nineteen meters at Newgrange.
 

Carrowkeel Cairn G at sunset on the 20th June 2008

Photos by Tony Christie

Summer Solstice Sunset illuminating Carrowkeel Cairn G
Summer Solstice Sunset illuminating Carrowkeel Cairn G.


Sunbeam at back of the chamber in Cairn G at Carrowkeel.
Sunbeam moving across the back of the chamber in Cairn G at Carrowkeel.


Sun setting viewed from inside Cairn G at Carrowkeel
Summer Solstice Sun setting viewed from inside Cairn G at Carrowkeel.


Sunset viewed through the roofbox from inside Cairn G in Carrowkeel
Sunset viewed through the roofbox from inside Cairn G in Carrowkeel.


Summer Solstice Sunset at Carrowkeel Cairn G viewed through the roofbox
Summer Solstice Sunset at Carrowkeel Cairn G viewed through the roofbox.


Sun moving across the back of the orthostats
Sun moving across the back of the orthostats in the chamber of Cairn G at Carrowkeel.

Carrowkeel Cairn G
Carrowkeel Cairn G - A beam of light from the summer solstice sunset enters the chamber through the roofbox over the entrance.

Boyne Valley Private Day Tours

Boyne Valley Tours Pick up and return to your accommodation or cruise ship. Suggested day tour: Newgrange World Heritage site, 10th century High Crosses at Monasterboice, Hill of Tara the seat of the High Kings of Ireland and the Hill of Slane where St. Patrick let a Paschal fire in 433  More ...

Boyne Valley Tours