World-class heritage site with 25% of Europe’s megalithic art

Knowth is one of Ireland’s great ancient sites and is part of The Bru Na Boinne World Heritage complex of passage tombs. There is evidence that it had been used and occupied for millennia by different groups of people including early farmers, early Christians, Normans, High Kings, and medieval farmers. The central great mound measures 240 feet X 290 feet and has 127 carved kerbstones. Inside are 2 separate passages facing east and west. These do not meet but terminate very close to each other and are lined with decorated stones known as orthostats. The tomb has many beautiful and mysterious examples of ‘hidden art’ carved on the backs of the kerbstones which include spirals, lozenges, crescent shapes, and serpentiform. The site also has 19 smaller satellite tombs some of which are older and also contain decorated stones. Access to Knowth is by guided tour only.

Thanks to History with Kayleigh for excellent video on the history of Knowth