Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Cairn - unclassified
Tuam, County Cavan, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Tuam
- County
- Cavan
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- NULL
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- SMR number
- CV002-031001-
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
Not marked on any OS ed. Recorded by Wakeman (1879, 183-200). He described the site as presenting 'the appearance of an ordinary tumulus, the base of which was surrounded by a low rampart'. This was cut into two equal portions in 1879 during the construction of the Sligo-Enniskillen railway. A 'considerable number' of the skeletons of men, women and children were thus exposed. The mound was largely natural but contained 'soil dug and stone- covered kists' in which were found 'deposits of wood- charcoal, containing minute fragments of bone, apparently human' of which only one survived intact (CV002-031001-). Other finds from the mound included two well-baked earthen vessels, one of which was decorated, and animal bones. Close to the surface of the mound 'a silver penny of King John, struck in Dublin... was unearthed'. Not located. (Lowry-Corry and Richardson 1937, 161-2)
The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cavan' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1995). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Date of upload/revision: 22 December 2008