SEEFIN

PASSAGE TOMB

SEEFIN

PASSAGE

TOMB

POCKET IRELAND › Place Guides › Seefin Passage Tomb

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Perched atop the 621-metre summit of Seefin Mountain, the Seefin Passage Tomb is a prehistoric monument that predates the Egyptian pyramids. Built roughly 5,000 years ago during the Neolithic period, this granite sentinel commands a sweeping panoramic view over the Blessington Lakes, the Wicklow Mountains, and arguably as far as the Mourne Mountains on a clear day.

JUMP TO THE PHOTOS

The "Seat of Fionn"

Its Irish name, Suí Finn, translates to "The Seat of Fionn," referencing the legendary warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill, who is said to have used the mountain as a lookout.

The Architecture

The tomb is a marvel of Stone Age engineering. It is a classic passage tomb consisting of a large circular cairn (mound of stones) roughly 25 metres in diameter.

A 10-metre passageway leads into a central chamber with five distinct recesses. It’s an unusual layout compared to the three typically found in similar tombs like Newgrange.

The Mystery

When excavated in 1931, the tomb was found to be entirely empty. No bones or artefacts were discovered at all, leading to theories that it was either a cenotaph (a memorial without a body) or that the remains were moved millennia ago.

Getting Inside

The top of the tomb has caved in which offers an opportunity to (carefully!) climb inside and see the burial chambers. However, the structure is fragile and Heritage Ireland advises "External View Only" to protect the monument. You can peer down the passage to see the corbelled roof construction without needing to crawl inside.

The Hike

Reaching Seefin is an adventure that requires a bit of effort but rewards you with solitude and amazing views.The walk is a fairly relentless steep ascent that takes approx. 45-60 minutes, starting near the entrance to the Kippure Estate. The trail follows the edge of a pine forest before breaking onto the open mountainside. It is not signposted, so navigation skills are essential if the cloud cover descends.

Military Range Warning

The tomb sits dangerously close to the Kilbride Army Camp firing range. Always check for Red Flags flying at the base of the mountain or consult the defense forces' schedule online before ascending. If the flags are up, the area is active and prohibited.