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Ireland 5. Kilmogue Prehistoric Portal Tomb Dolmen (Leac/Leάc An Scail Dolmain) County Kilkenny OS grid ref 503 281. It is signposted about 5-6 miles north-west out of Mullinavat, don't follow the waterfall sign at the first T junction - turn right, it then seems a long way, but it is well signposted (1) after that, and well worth the trouble to find this quite exceptional 'ancient monument'. It is north-east of Carrick-on-Suir on the R698 road, I think? Kilmogue is from Cill Mhóġ, meaning 'The Church of Móġ and I'm much obliged to the information supplied on the plaque by the stones.
This is an exceptional example of a type of megalithic (large stone) tomb known as a Portal Tomb and is the tallest and most spectacular of all of Ireland.
(2) Two pointed portal stones (12 feet high), the tallest stones in the tomb, form the entrance to a stone-lined burial chamber, which is roofed by two massive stone slabs or capstones, the larger of which lies at a steep angle. The sill (next to Molly) between these two portal stones is nearly as high and blocks the entrance. A cairn, or low mound of stones would have covered most of the tomb, but the capstone probably remained visible.
(3) and (4) The top angled capstone of this dolmen is 15 feet long.
(5) The angled upper capstone of the portal tomb rests on the lower horizontal capstone, which itself rests on three smaller upright stones of the burial lining.
(6) Down in the field below there seems to be a standing stone in amongst the cows! but this doesn't seem to be mentioned in the literature? This prehistoric site is known locally as Leac an Scάil (means the 'stone of the shadow or ghost'), and is situated on slightly sloping pasture land above the head-waters of a tributary of the River Suir. This was the type of landscape preferred by the builders of these tombs in south-east Ireland. The tomb has never been scientifically excavated. The likelihood is that it was built by Neolithic farmers about 6000 years ago (~4000 BC) for the burial of important members of the community ('high class citizens') and perhaps a focal point for a group or tribal meeting. previous Irish site <=> next Irish site
Sometimes archaeological sites are well and truly on the tourist trail and others you need to search in the small print. Either way, we always find it a pleasure wherever we are to visit an interesting archaeological site wherever we are on holiday, even if sites suffer from over indulgent tourism. Ancient prehistoric sites always hold a fascination as the tantalising archaeology always poses more questions that it answers and the archaeology of Ireland is as fascinating as any in Europe! * page updated Jan 15th 2007 * EMAIL Phil Brown * images-photographs-pictures-photos-webshots © Dr W P Brown * |
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