When I was in college at Temple University, I had the unique opportunity to do a summer study-abroad program in Ireland. It sounds cliché, but the trip truly changed my life. It was the first time I ever left the country, and stepping into Ireland felt like stepping into a whole different world. There was so much I loved about it, but perhaps my favorite thing was that everywhere you went, you stumbled upon some magnificent piece of history.
The Emerald Isle is full of stunning landscapes as well as captivating ruins and historic sites that each tell a fascinating story. While everyone is aware of a few major sites, like St. Patrick’s Cathedral (the catacombs were the coolest) and Blarney, there are many scattered throughout the countryside that are equally as interesting.
Brinsley McNamara, a native Irishman, routinely highlights off-the-beaten-path finds throughout the country on the TikTok account @weirdireland. Recently he took a trip to County Meath outside Athboy to take virtual tourists to Rathmore Abbey, a 15th-century ruin.
While there are dozens of things to note about it — like the his-and-hers sarcophaguses complete with a dog statue at the bottom — one of the most fascinating features is an old labyrinth stone.
What is a labyrinth stone?
These mysterious stones are scattered throughout Ireland and thought to be symbolic of a spiritual pilgrimage, but their exact use is still a mystery. They aren’t just at Rathmore Abbey — they appear throughout Ireland.
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The Hollywood Stone, County Wicklow:
This is the earliest known example of the labyrinth symbol in Ireland. Discovered on a large boulder in 1908, archaeologists believe it was created in the medieval era. According to labyrinth expert Jeff Saward, the carving “strongly suggests that it was a marker stone for the long winding pilgrim’s road through the rugged Wicklow Gap.” -
St. Patrick’s Cross, Cashel, County Tipperary:
This weathered labyrinth is carved on the north side of the base of St. Patrick’s Cross at the monastic complex on the Rock of Cashel. The carving was moved into the Hall of the Vicars’ Choral for protection and is considered one of the earliest labyrinth carvings in Ireland. -
Belfast Cathedral (St Anne’s), County Antrim:
An unusual rectangular, inlaid labyrinth panel set into the nave floor, created with black-and-white marble inlays in the early 20th century. It’s a distinctive, non-standard meandering design described widely in historic sources.
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Ireland’s biggest mystery
If you’re already in County Meath, you’d be remiss if you didn’t visit Newgrange, an ancient site that predates even the pyramids. A mound built by Stone Age farmers leads inward to a chamber with three alcoves. Outside, the mound is encircled by 97 large kerbstones engraved with Neolithic art. Most notable of them is the entrance stone, which has several labyrinth-like swirls and geometric patterns — all of which remain a mystery today.
Newgrange is best known for what happens on December 21st. These Stone Age masons engineered it so that on the winter solstice, the rising sun illuminates the chamber through a slit called the “roof box.” As the sun rises higher, the entire chamber becomes dramatically illuminated for about 17 minutes. It’s theorized that this marked the beginning of the new year and may have symbolized the “victory” of life over death. It was likely looters who removed any artifacts from the 5,200-year-old “temple,” which is why so much mystery still surrounds its purpose.
Related: Archaeologists uncover 573 ancient fortresses that date back to 4,800 years ago
While I was studying abroad, I had the opportunity to go inside myself, and it was truly a breathtaking experience. You can enter a lottery to be inside on the actual solstice from December 19–23, but visitors are treated to a simulation of the phenomenon year-round — and it’s a remarkable thing to witness.
Ireland is full of weird and wonderful historic mysteries to “uncover.”
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This story was originally published by TravelHost on Dec 9, 2025, where it first appeared in the Attractions section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.