The scattered remains of Cairn I, with Cairn L to the left

Main Page Guided Tours Introduction Loughcrew Megalithic art The Cailleach Cairns A, B and C Cairn D Cairns E, F and G Cairn H Cairns I, J and K Cairn L Cairns M, N and O Cairn R Cairn S Cairn T Cairn U Cairn V Cairn W Cairns X and Y

Cairn I Cairn I is located on a small knoll to the south of Cairn L on Cairnbane West. The cairn is about 19 meters in diameter, and has 10 kerbstones remaining, one of which has an unusual curve or dip in the top. The chamber has seven recesses, divided by upright slabs, and so is similar to nearby Cairn L. The passage and chamber measure about 7 meters in length, and the orientation is directed towards the focal monument at Loughcrew, Cairn T. The chamber is unroofed, and one possible corbell with engravings (right) remains in the rear left recess. There are 13 decorated stones remaining, with some very beautiful engravings, including the so-called Fire Eye stone on the north side of the passage. Anyone interested in seeing all the Loughcrew art is directed to Elisabeth Twohig's book, The Megalithic Art of Western Europe. which has illustrations of all the engraved stones, based on a series of rubbings. The illustrations here are from that book (not to scale), with a little colour added. According to Martin brennan's research, Cairn I serves as an indicator of the approaching autumn equinox. About two weeks before equinox, the sun rises over Cairn T. Though no major study has been done yet, the movements of the moon are alos likely to be tracked by this site. The view of Cairn T from the end recess of Cairn I. The sun rises over Cairn T two weeks before the autumn equinox. The megalithic art is highlighted with Photoshop. Cairn J Located to the west of Cairn L and almost touching its kerb, the remains of Cairn J is about 14 meters in diameter. Conwell noted three decorated stones. The chamber appears to be oriented south of east and across Cairn L, which probably indicates that it is older than Cairn L. A 'roughly-finished brown stone ball, about an inch in diameter' was the only find. Cairn K A smallish mound (Herity says 15 meters in diameter), Cairn K is situated on a small outcrop of rock immediately to the north of Cairn L. This monument is seperated from the others on Cairnbane West by a fence, and has been much trampled by animals. A kerb of long slabs survives; one or two have fallen down the slope from the entrance. The chamber is pretty ruined. Conwell reported two engraved slabs within. The orientation is roughly 110°, the direction of the Boyne Valley.