What is recorded here
Cairnbaine Giants Grave is a dual court tomb set inside a long trapezoidal cairn on a drumlin ridge in County Monaghan. Its eastern chamber still has a lintel above two entry stones, while the western chamber opens through double jambs, suggesting two separate burial lines joined in one mound. People may have walked this ridge for generations, placing the dead beneath stones large enough to bear the weight of heaven itself.
Located on rock outcrop towards the bottom of the SE-facing slope of the spine of a NW-SE drumlin ridge. It is marked only on the 1907 edition of the OS 6-inch map where it is described in gothic lettering as ‘Cairnbaine Giant’s Grave’. This is probably a dual court-tomb incorporated into a trapezoidal cairn aligned ENE-WSW (L 36m; max. Wth 19m at E). The E tomb has the remains of a three-quarter court (L 6.5m; Wth 5.5m) with two façade stones to the N of the gallery. Two entry jambs surmounted by a lintel give access to a chamber (L 4m; Wth 1.7m). Beyond this, two segmenting jambs indicate a continuation of the gallery. At the opposite end of the cairn is a chamber (L 2.3m; Wth 1.2m) with double jambs open to the W. (de Valera 1960, 123).
The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Monaghan' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1986). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
This is a National Monument in Guardianship: No. 367
Date of upload: 17 July 2007
Neolithic passage tomb, dating to approximately 2500–2000 BCE. Its location on a prominent drumlin ridge suggests it may have had ritual or ceremonial significance within the local landscape.
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- Recorded monument
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