What a beautiful tomb. This long wedge tomb, with a gallery some 6m long, is in fantastic condition, with a complete roof made from 4 large slabs. Some widely set double walling is present, leaning on the south side and incorporated in a wall on the north. The gallery is aligned east-west and there is both an ante-chamber and a portico at the front.
The large slab that separates the gallery from the ante-chamber has a cut away at the bottom. The portico is roofed with an outstanding stone - covered in cup and ring marks, a unique feature on a wedge tomb. Some people doubt that this is rock art, but I am sure that it is; the rings around some of the cups are perfect.
I actually developed a bit of a theory regarding this tomb. I think that it went through two or three stages of development. The building of the gallery and ante-chamber were either the first stage or the first two stages. I think the portico was added later. The stone used to roof this has an unusual step in it, which makes me believe that it was originally a standing stone, set into the ground up to this shoulder (the thicker section has just two cups on it).
Basically, this monument offers all you could want in one spot. I have recently decided to slow myself down a little during my days out. To help me do this I have recently bought some paints and will try (and I mean try) to paint a few of the sites I go to. The location of this tomb is so sylvan that I chose to try and paint this one, but I was bitten to pieces by some seriously nasty bugs! I think some insect repellent is about to join all the other stuff I carry around with me. Great! More stuff to carry.
Click Thumbnail to View Full Size Image
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_All Sites Visited On 1st June 2003 « Previous Site Next Site »
I do love this excellent monument. Even on a rainy day with big blobs of water dripping off the trees and going down your neck it's a great place to be.
I took more time to look inside the gallery this time. I was so amazed at the monument on my previous visit that I didn't give it too much attention. The underside of all the roofstones have been worked, making them very flat.
Click Thumbnail to View Full Size Image
_
_
_
_
_All Sites Visited On 17th March 2007 « Previous Site Next Site »
This is the first time I've visited this monument on a nice sunny day and it makes a big difference. The strong light coming through the trees makes photography hard, but the effect on the glade is fantastic.
Despite there being a lot more rock art now known in the area, it is the carvings on the roofstone here are still the best examples.
All Sites Visited On 29th June 2008 « Previous Site Next Site »
A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments
 Creevagh (Co. Clare) |  Castlehill 2 (Co. Mayo) |  Magheracar (Co. Donegal) |
 Carrig (Co. Wicklow) |  Derryragh (Co. Cavan) |  Parknabinnia (Co. Clare) |
