Knockroe Passage Tomb
{{Short description|Neolithic passage tomb}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use Irish English|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox ancient site
| name = Knockroe Passage Tomb
| native_name =
| alternate_name =
| image = County Kilkenny - Knockroe Passage Tomb - 20190909104959.jpg
| image_size = 240px
| alt =
| caption = The western chamber
| map_type = Ireland
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location in Ireland
| map_size = 180px
| location = Knockroe, County Kilkenny, Ireland
| region =
| coordinates = {{coord|52|25|54|N|7|23|59|W|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:IE}}
| gbgridref = S 408 312
| type = Passage tomb
| material = Stone
| built = {{circa|2750 BC}}
| epochs = Neolithic
| cultures =
| dependency_of =
| occupants =
| event =
| excavations =
| archaeologists =
| condition =
| ownership =
| public_access =
| website =
| notes =
}}
Knockroe Passage Tomb is a prehistoric site, of the Neolithic period, in the townland of Knockroe in County Kilkenny, Ireland, about 10 km north of Carrick-on-Suir. It is known locally as "The Caiseal".
It is National Monument no. 655, managed by the Office of Public Works on behalf of the state.{{cite web|url = http://mega-what.com/sites/Knockroe/index.html | title = Knockroe: Passage Tomb KK034-019001 | website = mega-what.com | accessdate = 16 January 2020}}{{cite web|url = https://kclr96fm.com/kilkenny-castle-and-grounds-the-most-visited-opw-site-in-ireland-last-year/ | publisher = KCLR 96FM | website = kclr96fm.com | title = Kilkenny Castle and Grounds the most visited OPW site in Ireland last year | date = 15 July 2019 | accessdate = 18 January 2020 }}
Description
There are two chambers on the site: the larger western chamber is aligned so that sunlight at sunset at the winter solstice shines along the passageway.{{cite web| url = https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/newgrange-of-the-south-east-knockroe-passage-tomb-has-its-own-claim-to-fame-35318264.html | publisher = Independent News & Media | website = independent.ie |title = Newgrange of the south-east? Knockroe Passage Tomb has its own claim to fame | date = 23 December 2016 | accessdate = 18 January 2020 }} There is artwork on many of the stones lining the passageway. Quartz is scattered around the site: this may have formed a wall at the entrances. The chambers would originally have been covered with earth.{{cite web|url = http://www.megalithicireland.com/Knockroe%20Passage%20Tomb.html | title = Knockroe Passage Tomb | publisher = Megalithic Ireland | website = megalithicireland.com | accessdate = 16 January 2020}}{{cite web|url = https://www.discoverireland.ie/Arts-Culture-Heritage/knockroe-passage-tomb/71106 | title = Knockroe Passage Tomb | publisher = Discover Ireland | website = discoverireland.ie | accessdate = 16 January 2020}}{{cite web | url = http://www.hidden-gems.eu/kilkenny%20-%20knockroepassagetomb.pdf | title = Knockroe Passage Tomb | publisher = South Kilkenny Historical Society | accessdate = 16 January 2020 }}
There are similarities with the tombs at Newgrange and Knowth (both in County Meath).
Excavations, led by Muiris O'Sullivan of the Department of Archaeology at University College Dublin, have been conducted for several years at the site.
See also
References
{{commons category|Knockroe Passage Tomb}}
{{reflist}}
{{National Monuments of Ireland}}
Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 3rd millennium BC
Category:Archaeological sites in County Kilkenny