Slab-lined burial

The National Monuments Service's description

At the W edge of a pasture field, located in an eroding cliff face (H 1.5m) above a storm beach. This slab-lined burial was partly eroded from the cliff face and a rescue excavation was carried out by the OPW in 1991 (Buckley et al. 1991-2). The grave, which underlay topsoil (D 0.3m), was cut into a layer (D 0.5m) of shingle which overlay limestone bedrock. It was oriented roughly E-W, with the head to the W, but by the time of the excavation the W end was already destroyed by erosion. The E end (1m E–W; 0.5m N–S) remained intact. The sides of the grave were constructed of limestone slabs set on edge with chocking stones in between. Two overlapping sets of flat slabs formed the roof. The poorly preserved leg bones of an adult, or more probably a sub-adult, individual were recovered. The slab walls of the grave, which were left in situ when the excavation was completed, have since been eroded by wave action. A slight subsidence (Wth 1m N-S) at the cliff edge is all that now marks the location. In local tradition the grave was known as the ‘Fisherman’s Grave’.

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 2 September 2013

References

Buckley, V. M., Buckley, L., Mount C. and Ronayne, B. 1991-2 ‘Excavations at a lintelled grave, Lacken, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo.' North Mayo Archaeological and Historical Journal, 2 (5), 21-4