This tripod dolmen is a miracle of ancient engineering. The roof slab (3m x 1.5m x30cm) rests on the three uprights touching at three tiny areas of contact, probably no more than 5cm square.
As you walk up the hill towards it it dominates the skyline even with the hideous wall and fence. It is a beautiful monument.
The two portal stones are beveled on the 'inner' face creating an inviting opening. I will definitely return to this magickal place.
From here we retired to eat some fabulous home made fruit cake with sour cream before saying fond farewells. A great end to what will always be a special weekend for me. Thanks Anthony.
Click Thumbnail to View Full Size Image
_
_
_
_
_
_All Sites Visited On 3rd March 2002 « Previous Site Next Site »
I was surprised to see a new little car parking area at the foot of the lane leading up to the tomb complete with a nice new notice board. I was even more surprised to see another notice board stuck just 6 foot in front of the tomb itself as I walked up the hill.
I had wanted to return here for a long time. With my now much greater experience of portal tombs and their setting I felt I needed to come back and look again. Sadly the weather had turned so bad that I couldn't see a thing!
I do love this structure, though. Its archetectural simplicity and odd ungainly elegance combine to make a very endearing monument. It's not surprising that this is one of the most visited monuments in Northern Ireland.
I was able to notice a few things one of which is that the tomb is situated just in the right place so that the nearby peaks are obscured by the high ridge to the east forcing you to look at the distant Mournes (when you can see them that is!) Due to the poor weather I shall have to come back here again, which to be perfectly honest I don't mind one bit!
Click Thumbnail to View Full Size Image
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_All Sites Visited On 9th January 2005 « Previous Site Next Site »
Julian wanted big dolmens, so I decided to give him a 'tripod dolmen'. This site never changes - it just sits there, looking strange. A great location though, but would be better without the barns and house so close by.
Click Thumbnail to View Full Size Image
_
_
_
_All Sites Visited On 7th May 2006 « Previous Site Next Site »
Click Thumbnail to View Full Size Image
_
_A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments
 The Kempe Stones (Co. Down) |  Ballynacloghy (Co. Galway) |  Ballynoe (Co. Carlow) |
 Arderawinny (Co. Cork) |  Crowagh (Co. Sligo) |  Ballyrenan (Co. Tyrone) |
