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Clusters of Megalithic Cairns are dotted around the Slieve na Caillaigh hills at Loughcrew, the main
concentrations are on Carnbane East where Cairn T is the centrepiece and
Carnbane West where Cairn L is located.
The illumination of the passage and chamber at the Winter
solstice sunrise in Newgrange is world famous. Less well known is the
Equinox illumination at sunrise in Cairn T at Loughcrew. The backstone of the chamber is illuminated by
a beam of light at sunrise on the Spring and Autumnal Equinoxes.
The sun light is shaped by the stones of the entrance and passage and descends the backstone while moving
from left to the right illuminating the solar symbols.
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The key to Loughcrew Cairn T is available at
Loughcrew Gardens. The owner of the land on Carnbane West where Cairn
L is located is not currently allowing public access to the site.
Equinox Stone - Loughcrew Cairn T
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Cairn T or Hag's Cairn is of similar design to Newgrange. Traditionally described as a Passage
Tomb, the wonderfully decorated backstone shows that the Cairn has a clear astronomical purpose.
A beam of light from the rising sun around the time of the March and September equinoxes is mapped on the backstone of the Cairn.
I was in the chamber on the 21st of September 2002 and was rewarded with the brilliant illumunation of the backstone.
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The interior of Cairn L, a freestanding limestone monolith or menhir is
positioned inside the chamber (on the left of the image).
Martin Brennan believes the
six foot high monolith to be a marker for the Cross-quarter Days of November 8th and February 4th, when the sun illuminates the stone.
Click Here for a larger view.
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