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Loughcrew or Loch Craobh in Irish, means “Lake of the Branches”. It is a neolithic passage tomb cemetery located in County Meath, Ireland. And, it is one of the oldest and most mysterious prehistoric sites in the country

The site is a group of around 30 passage tombs (1), spread across four main hilltops: Carnbane East, Carnbane West, Carrickbrack and Patrickstown Hill

The tombs date to around 3300 BCE
On the hilltops, there are wide views over the surrounding landscapes.

The hills are called Slieve na Calliagh (“Mountain of the Hag”), and are tied to Irish mythology
Cailleach Bhéarra, is a giant hag, or witch in Irish folklore. Legend says that she created the tombs by dropping stones from her apron, while leaping across the hills.

Unique style of petroglyphs are found there, including lozenge shapes, leaf shapes, as well as circles, some surrounded by radiating lines (2)

There are carvings on over 100 stones
It may represent cosmic or spiritual beliefs of neolithic people.

Perhaps peaceful, and just as spiritually impressive as larger and more well known neolithic sites. Loughcrew has long been connected to ritual, seasonal cycles, and ancestral power. Check it out with some more neolithic architecture today!

Cite: 1) Meehan, Cary (2004). Sacred Ireland. Somerset: Gothic Image Publications. p. 278. ISBN 0
906362 43 1.

2) photos of megalithic art in Cairn T (http://www.knowth.com/loughcrew.htm) from knowth.com

Bibliography: Loughcrew Information and Images (http://www.knowth.com/loughcrew.htm)