Burial ground in Rathroe

In pasture, located on the summit of a hill, with excellent views NW-SE over the valley of the Rathroe River, and to S of Nephin Mountain, which dominates the far horizon. This monument is evident as a low-profile, subrectangular flat-topped mound or platform (11m N−S; 15m E−W; H 0.5-0.6) defined by an eroded, irregular scarp. The grass-covered platform appears to be of earthen construction. The surface is uneven, with low hollows and undulations, probably the result of past disturbance. There is an E−W field fence 6m to S of the platform. According to local information, when the field fence was being constructed, human bones were unearthed on, or in the vicinity of, the platform (pers. comm. Mr. Seán Gilvarry, Rathroe, May 2016). A smaller mound, known locally as a burial (MA021-099002-), is located 6m to N. There is a rath (MA021-098----) c. 200m to NNW, and a tower house (MA021-033----) c. 160m to NE. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 17 June 2016

A Neolithic passage tomb; dates to the 4th–3rd millennium BCE. Its location on a prominent hill summit suggests ritual or ceremonial significance, typical of Neolithic funerary monuments in the region.