Cist

The National Monuments Service's description

On a SSW slope in pasture with good views in all directions. The structure is visible as a roofless chamber (L 2.72m; max. Wth. 1.20m) set in the ground. It is aligned approximately E-W and is open to the E. Constructed of nine upright slabs, four of which are decorated with curvilinear motifs (one has been removed). Wood-Martin (1887-8, 68-9, figs. 77-81) recorded that the monument was originally roofed with a single slab, covered by a mound and enclosed by a stone circle and had been disturbed in 1830 during ploughing. The floor was found to be paved with slabs and quantity of cremated bone and a cinerary urn were found. There are conflicting views as to the nature and date of this cist-like structure and its decoration (see Evans 1966; Herity 1974; Shee Twohig 1981, the latter two with earlier references; Weir 1980, 207-8). It has been listed as a possible passage tomb by Ó Nualláin (1989, 92).

Compiled by: Paul Walsh

Date of upload: 9 January 2012

See linked document with details from Seán Ó Nualláin, Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume V. County Sligo. (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1989)

References

Evans, E.E. 1966 Prehistoric and Early Christian Ireland: a guide. London. Batsford.

Herity, M. 1974 Irish Passage Graves. Dublin. Irish University Press.

Ó Nualláin, S. 1989 Survey of the megalithic tombs of Ireland, vol. 5, Co. Sligo. Dublin. Stationery Office.

Twohig, E. Shee 1981 The megalithic art of Western Europe. Oxford. Clarendon Press.

Wood-Martin, W.G. 1887-8 The rude stone monuments of Ireland, parts III to VIII. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 18, 50-94, 118-59, 254-99, 367-81.

Weir, A. 1980 Early Ireland: a field guide. Belfast. Blackstaff Press.