Megalithic tomb - wedge tomb

The National Monuments Service's description

Marked 'Cromlech' on the OS maps and referred to as An Cromleac by An Seabhac (1939, 288), this is the westernmost tomb of the group. It stands about 45m W of tomb 2 and about 100m SW of tomb 3. The structure consists of a wedge-shaped gallery covered, at its E end, by a single roofstone. The gallery sides are each formed of 2 stones. The westernmost stones on either side are tall and well-matched and are set outside the ends of the adjoining sidestones. The tops of both stones slope downwards from W to E. A single stone closes the gallery at its E end. Immediately outside the E stone on the N side is another slab which forms a doubling of the gallery wall. Two outer-wall stones are present to S of the gallery. A transverse stone beyond the W end of the gallery is probably a septal-or sill-stone. A loose, prostrate stone lies between this and the end of the gallery. The gallery measures 3m long or 3.75m long from the septal-stone. It is 1.4m wide at W, 1.6m near the middle and 1.45m at the backstone. The levels of the sidestones indicate a sharp decrease in height from W to E. There are traces of a mound to W and N of the structure but a drain curves around the W end of this and its outline here cannot be original.

The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 35, Tomb1. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

See linked document with details from Ruaidhrí de Valera and Seán Ó Nualláin, Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume IV. Counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary. (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1982)

This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (No. 5/1970).

Date of upload: 6 August 2013