The Kempe Stones

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Portal dolmen situated on a field boundary, N of the Greengraves Road, c.2 miles W of Newtownards. The dolmen is built of basalt boulders and consists of a large irregular capstone, a smaller capstone, two large portal stones, a blocking slab (or cill) and side stones. To the W side of the dolmen is a thick hedge row. To the immediate S of the dolmen there are said to be traces of a cairn, but all of its stones appear to have been removed. The chamber is reported to have been excavated in c.1830 and human bones discovered.

Historical information

This megalith dates from the Neolithic era (c.4000-c2000 BC) and served as a single burial chamber. There appears to have been a cairn to the immediate south of the dolmen. The chamber below the stones is said to have been excavated by Rev. John Cleland ‘about the year 1830...when human bones were found’. The monument is now in state care.
The townland of Greengraves was originally known as Ballycloghtogall ‘townland of the dolmen’. The name ‘The Kempe Stones’ may be of Norse origin ‘kampsten’ in Norse meaning a large stone, however, the name could be derived from the old Scots ‘kempe’, a warrior or champion.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI Ordnance Survey Maps 1st edition 1833/4, Co. Down sheet 5.
2 PRONI Ordnance Survey Maps, 1st revision 1858-60, Co. Down sheet 5.

Secondary sources.
1 'Archaeological survey of Co. Down' (HMSO 1966), p.80.
2 Trevor McCavery 'Newtown, A history of Newtownards' (Dundonald 1994), pp.14-15.
3 A.J. Hughes and R.J. Hannan 'Place-Names of Northern Ireland Vol. Two, County Down II- The Ards', p.229.
4 Peter Car ‘The most unpretending of places- a history of Dundonald, County Down' (Dundonald 1987), pp.28-31.
5 Environment and Heritage Service SMR 05:28

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Neolithic portal dolmen constructed in basalt rubble.