Megalithic tomb - passage tomb

The National Monuments Service's description

The tomb lies on the E side of Ringarogy Island, a small rocky eminence in the estuary of the Illen River, locally known as the Lag. Much of the island and almost all of the tomb is inundated at high tide. The tomb is covered in sea-weed and only the tops of two orthostats are visible above the high-water mark. The remains consist of a gallery (L 3m; Wth 1m), aligned ENE-WSW, formed by three sidestones to the N and three to the S. The gallery opens to the E where a transversely set, jamb-like stone (H 1.1m) standing at the E end of the N side with a further smaller orthostat (H 0.5m) to E indicates some form of elaboration of the entrance area. The W end of the gallery is closed by a substantial backstone (H 1.15m). Four prostrate slabs to the E of the entrance area and two others to the S probably represent displaced roofing elements. The mound for the most part has been removed by tidal action; three kerbstones are in situ 2m N of the gallery and three possible examples can be identified to the NW. (Shee Twohig 1995, 7-9)

The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009).

Date of upload: 22 December 2009