Penal Mass station

The National Monuments Service's description

This feature, listed by Borlase (1897) as a possible 'dolmen', was later described as a 'prehistoric chamber tomb' (Killanin and Duignan 1962; 1967). It is a masonry platform built against the enclosing wall of an old burial ground. According to an OS 1:2,500 Name Book (1905), clergymen, when officiating at burials, stood at this spot to collect death offerings.
Borlase 1897, 231, Kilmacrenan no. 3; OS 1:2,500 Name Book, sheet 15 (1905), 53; Killanin and Duignan 1962, 260; Killanin and Duignan 1967, 263.

The proposed development site (NGR 202300/ 436700), a single dwelling and garage, was located close to a church site, DG015–017----. It was tested by Eoin Halpin of Archaeological Development Services Ltd under licence No. 06E1154 by means of four machine-excavated trenches prior to development, as the boundary of the proposed development was c. 60m north-west of the monument. A previous phase of testing was carried out immediately adjacent to this site in 1994, but no features of an archaeological nature turned up in any of the eight trenches excavated across the site. Along the western edge of the site there was a north–south-running pathway. Immediately to the east of this there was a stone ridge, which was largely overgrown with moss and grass. This is probably the result of stone being removed to create the pathway and then being deposited here. Nothing of archaeological significance was uncovered (Bennett 2010, 78).

The above description was published in the 'Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume VI, County Donegal.' Compiled by: Eamon Cody (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated.

Compiled by Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload/revision: 18 November 2011