The near total destruction of the passage tomb cemetery at Kilmonaster Middle is possibly one of the biggest tragedies to befall the megalithic monuments of Ireland. There was once around 8 passage tombs here, but only a few remain - and these are pretty ruined.
This example is nestled against a hedgerow at the bottom of a field, just below the site of the main cruciform passage tomb in the same townland (I didn't have time to find the remains of this.)
The site is a bit of a jumble, with displaced orthostats that could be from the passage or chamber and a large roofstone that lies inside this 'chamber'. It is this roofstone that provided me with the final surprise of the day ... its upper surface is adorned with lots and lots of cup-marks! Yes ... more rock art on a trip already packed with the stuff!
I will return at some point to check out the scant remains of the other monuments in this area. As well as the passage tombs there are also wedge tombs and a hilltop cairn that overlooks the area.
A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments
Knocknagin (Co. Meath) | Calliagh Berra's House (Co. Armagh) | Cairn L (Co. Meath) |
Carrowmore Tomb 52 (Co. Sligo) | Fairy Castle (Co. Dublin) | Carrowmore Tomb 1 (Co. Sligo) |