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Ros
Davies' Co.
Down, Ireland Genealogy Research Site
©
Rosalind Davies 2001-2009
Permission granted to reprint research for non-profit use only
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Dolmen or Cromlechs are megalithic graves
and are found all over Ireland
Ths page contains photos of some of the best
dolmen in Co. Down
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Goward
Dolmen in Clonduff parish
This megalithic dolmen or
cromlech is in the farmer's field in Goward townland. For a few
thousand years farmer's in this area have left it untouched as
a mark of respect for the ancient people of this land. Locally
known as Pat Kearney's Big Stone or Cloughmore Cromlech.
This was how the chiefs were
buried and there are hundreds to be see in Ireland, mostly still
in the middle of fields. You can see the two upright granite stones
on the right were the entrance to the rectangular chamber. It
even suggests a circular facade.. The huge granite capstone has
slipped from its original , horizontal position but would have
been dragged kilometres to this site , to honour the person.
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Kilfeaghan
Dolmen in Kilbroney parish
This megalithic structure
is one of many in Ireland which were the burial places of chieftains.
It is in a farmer's field in Kilfeaghan townland, near Rostrevor
and you can see Carlingford Lough in the background. It is also
known as Pat Kearney's Big Stone and Cloughmore Cromlech.
This portal grave has slipped
off its third upright so that the capstone (which weighs 35 tons)
isn't horizontal anymore. The entrance to the passage grave was
between the uprights. You can see the remains of the long cairn
underneath it. Bones and pottery belonging to the Neolithic period
were found during excavations.
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Legananny Dolmen
in Drumgooland parish
This is the best dolmen in Northern Ireland.
It's on the slopes of Slieve Croob near the village of Leitrim,
nestled between the farmer's stone wall and a back road. It's
from the megalithic period of about 5,000 years ago and is the
portal grave of a chieftain. The heavy stones would have been
dragged some distance before being set in place. The three supporting
stones are unusally long and there are slight traces of a cairn
which must have been far more extensive. Some urns were found
underneath.
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at Buck's Head in Annadorn townland
These ancient stone structures (dolmen)
are passage graves from the Megalithic period. The giant stones
were dragged to the site and constructed over the grave of a chief.
A slightly displaced capstone covers a rectangular chamber of
which three side stones survive. An early account suggests that
this was formerly set in a large circular cairn and approached
by a lintelled passage, so it may be the remains of a passage
grave. This dolmen is at the corner of the Annadorn/ Loughinisland
road. You can see a part of Loughinisland lake in the background.
The lady is myself.
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by Ros Davies