Knowth in a Nutshell – 10 Key Facts

Knowth dates to around 3200 BC, placing it firmly in the Neolithic period and making it contemporary with Newgrange and significantly older than Stonehenge.
It is the largest of the three main passage tombs at Brú na Bóinne, with a mound measuring approximately 90 metres metres in diameter, making it one of the biggest passage tombs in Europe.
Knowth contains two long passages, one entering from the west and the other from the east, a rare feature among Irish passage tombs.
The western passage extends for about 34 metres, making it the longest known passage in any Irish passage tomb.
Unlike Newgrange, Knowth is not aligned with the winter solstice; instead, the equinoxes appear to play a role, with sunlight reaching the ends of the passages around the spring and autumn equinoxes, though in a more diffuse and less dramatic way.
The monument is famous for its extraordinary concentration of megalithic art, with over one third of all known megalithic art in Western Europe found at Knowth.
Much of the art is carved on the kerbstones, featuring spirals, lozenges, chevrons, serpentine lines, and geometric motifs, many of which are hidden from view beneath the mound.
Excavations revealed cremated and unburnt human remains, stone basins, and ceremonial objects, confirming that Knowth had both funerary and ritual functions.
Knowth was reused for thousands of years after its construction, serving at various times as a Bronze Age burial site, an early medieval settlement, and later a Norman motte.
Major excavations were carried out between 1962 and 1968 under the direction of Professor George Eogan, whose work was central to understanding Knowth and the wider Brú na Bóinne landscape, later designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Knowth Stone Age Passage Tomb

Knowth: The Often Overlooked Giant of Brú na Bóinne

When people think of Brú na Bóinne, Newgrange usually takes centre stage. Yet just a short distance away stands Knowth, a monument that is larger, more complex, and arguably richer in archaeological detail. Knowth is not simply a companion to Newgrange but a central monument in its own right, offering deep insights into Neolithic life, ritual, and artistic expression in Ireland over 5,000 years ago.

Construction and Scale

Knowth was built around 3200 BC during the Neolithic period, around the same time as Newgrange and Dowth. The main mound measures roughly 90 metres in diameter, making it the largest of the three great passage tombs in the Brú na Bóinne complex. It is encircled by 127 kerbstones, many of which are elaborately decorated with megalithic art.

Surrounding the main mound are at least 17 smaller satellite tombs, forming a tightly organised ceremonial landscape. This clustering suggests Knowth was a focal point for ritual activity over many generations rather than an isolated monument.

The Twin Passages

One of Knowth’s most distinctive features is its two long passages, one entering from the west and the other from the east. This is extremely rare in Irish passage tombs. The western passage extends for approximately 34 metres, making it the longest known passage in any Irish passage tomb.

Both passages lead to separate chambers, each containing stone basins used to hold cremated human remains. The presence of two passages has prompted extensive discussion about their symbolic meaning, possibly reflecting ideas of balance, duality, or cyclical time within Neolithic belief systems.

Light, Time, and the Equinoxes

Unlike Newgrange, Knowth is not aligned with the winter solstice sunrise. Research has suggested a possible relationship with the equinoxes, but any alignment is far less precise and remains the subject of debate. Around the spring and autumn equinoxes, sunlight can reach deep into the passages, though the illumination is weak, indirect, and does not produce a clear focal effect within the chambers.

Rather than a carefully engineered solar event, this subtle light penetration may reflect a broader interest in seasonal balance or transition. The contrast with the highly controlled solstice alignment at Newgrange suggests that Knowth may have served a different ceremonial role within the Brú na Bóinne landscape, pointing to a varied and nuanced understanding of time, light, and ritual in the Neolithic period.

Megalithic Art on an Unmatched Scale

Knowth is internationally renowned for its extraordinary concentration of megalithic art. Over one third of all known megalithic art in Western Europe is found here. Much of it is carved on the kerbstones, with additional decoration on stones within the passages and chambers.

The carvings include spirals, lozenges, chevrons, zigzags, arcs, and sinuous lines. While only a small number of kerbstones at Newgrange display extensive decoration, a far greater proportion of the kerbstones at Knowth are richly carved. Much of this artwork is positioned around the base of the mound or partially concealed beneath it, suggesting that the carvings were not intended for casual viewing but formed part of a more restricted or ritualised visual language.

Excavations and Archaeological Discoveries

Major excavations at Knowth were carried out between 1962 and 1968 under the direction of Professor George Eogan of University College Dublin. These excavations revealed cremated and unburnt human remains, stone basins, worked flint, and other artefacts, confirming that Knowth functioned as both a burial monument and a ceremonial space.

The excavations also showed that Knowth was reused repeatedly over thousands of years. Evidence points to Bronze Age burials, early medieval settlement including souterrains and houses, and later Norman activity when the mound was adapted as a motte.

Knowth Through Time

Few monuments in Ireland display such a long and continuous sequence of use. From its origins as a Neolithic passage tomb, Knowth evolved into a medieval settlement and defensive structure. This layering reflects the enduring importance of the site within the Boyne Valley landscape.

Its continued reuse helped preserve much of the monument, even as its original meaning shifted. Knowth remained a place associated with authority, memory, and power long after its Neolithic builders were gone.

Knowth Today

Today, Knowth forms part of the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated in 1993 in recognition of its outstanding universal value.

There is no public access to the passages at Knowth, but the mound, its carved kerbstones, and the surrounding landscape continue to convey a strong sense of scale, complexity, and enduring presence.

For visitors willing to look beyond the fame of Newgrange, Knowth offers a deeper and more complex story. It stands as a monument of scale, artistry, and longevity, bearing witness to the ingenuity and beliefs of Ireland’s Neolithic communities.

Immerse yourself in the rich heritage and culture of the Boyne Valley with our full day private tours. Visit the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site, home to the great Neolithic monuments of Newgrange and Knowth, renowned for their remarkable stone art and their alignment with the solar cycle. Explore the Hill of Slane, where Saint Patrick is said to have lit the Paschal fire, and discover the Hill of Tara, the ancient ceremonial seat of the High Kings of Ireland.

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Your tour can also include other outstanding Boyne Valley sites such as the Neolithic passage tomb of Fourknocks, Monasterboice with its celebrated high crosses, medieval Trim Castle, or the peaceful ruins of Mellifont Abbey, Ireland’s first Cistercian monastery. Each itinerary is tailored to your interests, allowing you to experience the archaeology, landscape, and layered history of the Boyne Valley at a relaxed and personal pace.

The tri spiral engraving in the chamber at Newgrange is one of the most iconic and sophisticated examples of prehistoric art in Europe. Carved into a large stone in the right hand recess of the cruciform chamber, the design consists of three interlinked spirals. The lines are deeply and deliberately engraved, creating a sense of movement and balance that draws the eye inward. Despite being over 5,000 years old, the carving is remarkably precise, showing a strong understanding of symmetry, rhythm, and visual harmony.

The meaning of the tri spiral remains open to interpretation, which adds to its power and fascination. Some believe it may be connected to cycles of time, such as the movement of the sun, the changing seasons, or concepts of life, death, and rebirth. Others see connections to the Winter Solstice, when sunlight penetrates the passage and illuminates the chamber, reinforcing ideas of renewal and cosmic order. Whatever its original purpose, the tri spiral stands as a clear statement that Newgrange was not just an architectural achievement, but also a deeply symbolic and ceremonial place for the people who built it.