Heapstown, Cairn, Co. Sligo.

Location – Near Heapstown Crossroads, North of Lough Arrow and NE of Castlebaldwin.
OS: G 773 162 (map 25)
Longitude: 8° 20' 51.51" W
Latitude: 54° 5' 40.25" N
GPS: G 77257 16220 (Accuracy – 5m)
See map at the bottom of the page.

Description and History – We visited this cairn just as the light was beginning to dim so I am not pleased with my pictures and many came out blurred. I intend to go back here at some point to get some better shots. This cairn is absolutely massive and one of the largest, if not the largest, I have ever visited. The amazing thing about it is that it is a lot smaller than it used to be as much of the cairn has been robbed of its stone in the past two hundred years. In 1837 it stood to full height and had a standing stone on top which is now missing. Today it is about 80m in diameter and about 10m high. There is a kerb of massive stones around the edge and one of these may have some decoration on it, although it was hard to tell in the light. There may be more but some of the kerb is hidden in undergrowth. There is likely to be a passage tomb under this great mound, especially considering the many other passage tombs in the area and its proximity to Carrowkeel. This is a little visited site but yet is very accessible.

Difficulty – East to get to and get around.

For more cairns, click here.
For more sites in Co. Sligo, click here.

Even as you approach this cairn it's size strikes you right away.

The kerb is starting to become overgrown in places.

Possible rock art on one of the kerbs. It shows up here as three vertical lines.


View The Standing Stone in a larger map