Heapstown Cairn
by Coolbock N.S.
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Location: Heapstown Townland, Heapstown Crossroads, Castlebaldwin Co. Sligo.

Heapstown Cairn has not been excavated but is believed to be a Passage Tomb some 60 metres in diameter. The Cairn was much larger but huge amounts of it were removed to build roads and walls years ago, thankfully this has now stopped. This Cairn is one of my favourite tombs because it is quite local. Heapstown lies to the west of Moytura where the legendary Battle of Moytura took place. The Cairn is also believed to be an extension of Carrowkeel Passage Tombs. This Cairn is situated off the Riverstown - Ballindoon Road. A lot of tourists visit this tomb throughout the year.
Folklore

The Tuatha De Danann fought against the Fomorians at the Second Battle of Moytura. Dian Cecht put all the herbs of Ireland in a well and this enabled the Warriors of the Tuatha De Danann to be cured magically of their battle wounds.

The Fomorians decided to block off the well called Slaine. Every Fomorian warrior brought a stone from the River Drowes to cast into the well. The Fomorians filled the Well of Healing with the stones and made a Cairn. The Cairn was called Ochtriallach’s Cairn or Heapstown Cairn.

The Fomorians had a warrior named Ochtriallach, the son of the Fomorian King Indech Mac De Danann. The immense number of stones on the cairn represented the number of the vast army of the Fomorians.

Heapstown Cairn is the largest cairn in Ireland outside the Boyne Valley.

It is traditionally considered to be the grave of Aillil, brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages, who ruled the area in the 4th century AD.

The King of the Tuatha De Danann was called Nuada and was said to be buried at the nearby Labby Rock. In Irish, is called the Leaba Dhiarmada agus Ghrainne.