Ugly and starting to collapse this tomb is made of large, rough, blocky stones. If ever a portal tomb needed a covering cairn, this is it. However, it is still worthy of a visit. The tomb is situated on a slope, now half hidden from the road below behind a field wall, with fantastic views to the south of that magical peak - Slemish.
One of the portal stones has collapsed into the chamber and the capstone has broken in two - the rear half of which is slipping into the chamber.
Noone should be put off visiting this place by its lack of good looks and charm. The accessibility (up a lane and across one field) makes it an ideal 'quick stop' site, where the tremendous views can be appreciated.
While you're there take a look at the single large stone set into the drystone wall by the nearest gate. It is the only large stone used in the surrounding walls. Did it come from the tomb? If it did then it is more likely to have been the doorstone than any other part of the structure.
All Sites Visited On 20th July 2003 « Previous Site Next Site »
I was in the area so I decided to take another look at this rather ugly portal tomb. Is it as ugly as I remember it to be from first impressions? Yes, it is. However, the views are amazing. Slemish sits on the far horizon and beckons you to go and climb it - not that I'm falling for that ploy!
The structure is quite good, too. I know there's a portal stone missing and the roofstone has cracked, but everything else is there. If the stone were a bit more elegant then this would be amongst the great portal tombs of Ireland.
All Sites Visited On 27th January 2008 « Previous Site Next Site »
A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments
Inch Island (Co. Donegal) | Mihanboy (Co. Roscommon) | Legananny (Co. Down) |
Cloughananca (Co. Antrim) | Banagher (Co. Cavan) | Ballanaghanea (Co. Cavan) |