Sligo's ultimate rock pile, Knocknarea is popularly believed to be the grave of legendary Queen Maeve (Queen Mab in Welsh and English folk tales). The 40,000 tonnes of stone have never been excavated, despite speculation that a tomb on the scale of the one at Newgrange lies buried below.
The cairn is perched high atop a limestone plateau (328m). It's a 45-minute (1.2km) trek to the top for spectacular panoramic views of Benbulben, Rosses Point and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.
The cairn seems to be looking over your shoulder everywhere you dare tread in its ancestral backyard. Many think the rocks purposely form a giant nipple, which takes on meaning when the overall horizon is viewed from Carrowmore. Believers in underlying powers at the sites say that you can easily make out the shape of a reclining woman, or a mother god.
The parking area is off the R292. The cairn is 2km northwest of Carrowmore; from Carrowmore, continue west along the road, turn right by a church, and then follow the signposts.
