Knowth Passage Tombs

Map Reference: N996734 (2996, 2734)

This large mound measures about 90m by 80m and is 11m high. It has a very fine kerb with more than 120 stones. The mound covers two large passage tombs aligned approximately E-W. The western tomb is 34m long and has a bent passage leading to a simple square chamber. A stone basin lies at the bend in the passage.



The eastern tomb is 40m long. It has a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. A decorated stone basin lies in the N recess. Many of the kerb stones and large numbers of the structural stones of both tombs are decorated with megalithic art.



Excavation revealed 16 smaller passage tombs close to the large mound. The kerb of the central mound deviates slightly to avoid one of these tombs. This indicates that the larger mound was built at a later date.



Some Early Christian souterrains have been found in the large mound and within some of the smaller tombs. Most of the smaller tombs now have a modern cover and appear as small grassy mounds surrounding the large central mound.



In the 9th and 10th centuries Knowth was the seat of the kings of Northern Brega and at the end of the 12th century the Anglo-Normans used it as a motte.






For more photographs of Knowth Passage Tombs click HERE