Megalithic tomb - passage tomb

The National Monuments Service's description

This monument stands c. 600m ESE of the cruciform passage tomb (Site A) in the adjoining townland of Kilmonaster Middle. Six orthostats, four to the N and two to the S, remain of a ruined structure c. 5m long and aligned E-W. The two at the S are incorporated in a field fence. The remains of a mound enclose the structure, but its original outline is unclear.
The remains are difficult to interpret. It appears that the westernmost of the four stones at the N and the two at the S, which stand opposite it, all of them lm or more in height, may represent the remains of a chamber up to 2m wide. The remaining three stones, all at the N, none of which is more than 0.7m high, may represent the N side of a passage opening to the E. This would have been lower and, as indicated by the disposition of the stones, probably narrower than the presumed chamber. According to Thomas Fagan (1845-8), much human bone was discovered here in a search for treasure a few years before his visit to the site in the summer of 1846.
Fagan 1845-8, book 10, 33; Borlase 1897, 235, Raphoe North no. 6 (Borlase incorrectly identifies a reference by Kinahan to the megalithic tomb at Gortnacull recte Gortmacall More (Dg. 60) as referring to this tomb); Ó Nualláin 1968b, 13-14 (plan, photograph); Herity 1974, 215, Dg. 10; Ó Nualláin 1983a, 37, no. 84 (plan); SMR 1987, 70:70; Ó Nualláin 1989, 127; RMP 1995, 70:70.

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).

Date of upload: 22 September 2008