Knowth, Neolithic passage grave in Meath, Ireland
Knowth is a Neolithic passage grave in County Meath featuring a central mound 67 meters across that contains two passages with entrances on opposite sides of the structure. The site is surrounded by seventeen smaller cairns and encircled by 127 decorated kerbstones.
Construction of the burial complex began around 3200 BCE, making it older than Stonehenge in England and the Egyptian pyramids. This early creation shows that its builders possessed remarkable organizational and building skills.
The stones display more than 200 pieces of megalithic art featuring spirals, concentric circles, and geometric patterns carved into their surfaces. These carvings offer insight into how people of that era expressed their ideas and beliefs.
Access is only by guided tour from the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre between April and October. It's wise to book ahead and wear comfortable shoes, as the path crosses the site's terrain.
What sets this place apart is the large number of satellite structures surrounding the main mound, suggesting it served as a religious and social center for generations. This arrangement distinguishes it from similar structures built elsewhere in that era.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
