My Visit to Clontygora Cairn: A Peaceful Place Between Worlds

Hello friends, Aidan here from Gifts of Ireland 🇮🇪.

This week on my Story of Ireland, I took a trip north—literally. I crossed the border from the Republic into Northern Ireland, and in doing so, I stepped out of the European Union and into the United Kingdom. But what I found at Clontygora Cairn, just outside Newry in County Armagh, had nothing to do with politics and everything to do with ancient Ireland.

It was a grand sunny day (yes, we get those now and again!), and the walk up to the cairn felt like stepping into another time. What hit me first was the incredible view—from the top, you can see the Mourne Mountains stretching across the horizon. All around me were greens in every shade you could imagine, fields and hedgerows and hills all quietly basking in the light. Whoever built this megalithic tomb thousands of years ago, they chose the spot well. They didn’t just plonk it down anywhere—this place had meaning, beauty, and peace.

There’s a lovely little stream nearby, too. I stopped for a moment just to listen to the water flowing, thinking about how that stream was probably running when this tomb was first built. Some things last, some things change. 

And unfortunately, one of those changes is a sad one: during the construction of a nearby canal, some of the stones from Clontygora were actually taken and used in the canal locks. It’s hard to imagine pulling apart a place like this, but it’s part of the story now too.

Still, there’s something very calming about being there. You’re surrounded by ancient stones, open fields, and the kind of silence that makes you slow down. It’s a place to reflect—not just on history, but on what we carry forward from it.

If you’re drawn to places like this—where Ireland’s story is written in stone—you might appreciate something that keeps that connection close. We’ve got a lovely Stainless Steel Ireland Map Necklace that’s perfect for that. And just for readers of this blog, we’ve got a special offer below.

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It’s places like Clontygora that remind us—Ireland isn’t just about the big landmarks. Sometimes the quietest spots tell the best stories.

Slán go fóill,

Aidan 🇮🇪☘️