What is recorded here

Cointe Cró Court Tomb is a two-chambered Neolithic burial chamber on marshy ground above the Murlin River in Donegal, its west-facing opening aligned toward the sea through Glencolumkille valley. People may have carried the dead into that narrow stone gallery and sealed them beneath a mound now reduced to a shallow ridge, while the chamber still points across water and sky. The tomb is sparse but definite: a curving backstone, a split jambstone, a tall sidestone and scattered slabs preserve the shape of a house built for the dead at the edge of a living valley.

Situated on the north side of Glencolumkille valley, the tomb stands on a slight platform on reclaimed marshy land in a low-lying situation c. 155m north of the Murlin River. Given its location there are restricted views to the north, east and south. The valley opens to the west and the sea is visible on the horizon; the view in this direction is partly blocked by rising ground and a large thicket of furze and bushes growing on the near horizon. The land in this area was reclaimed in 2011 and this exposed the monument to view (pers. comm. P. O’Donovan). The remains consist of a gallery represented by three stones, a jamb-stone, an adjoining sidestone and a backstone, set in the remnants of a much-denuded sub-circular mound measuring c. 11m east–west by 10m north–south which rises to between c. 0.2m to 0.3m in height. The remains indicate that the gallery was orientated west-north-west – east-south-east with the backstone at its eastern end. This stone, 1.3m by 0.35m thick and 0.35m high, has a gently curving gable-shaped top typical of those found in court tombs. Some 3.7m to the north-west stands the sidestone, 0.58m long, 0.23-27m thick and 0.9m high. Beside this at the west is the surviving jambstone which has split into two parts. It measures 0.75m long and 0.97 in maximum height and its top slopes to the north in typical fashion where it probably functioned as support for a corbel. The original thickness of the stone would have been c. 0.48m; currently there is a gap of 0.12m between the two pieces and small slab has been wedged in this position. A low set stone between the jambstone and sidestone may be a packing stone; it measures 0.4m long, 0.14m thick and is 0.17m high. About 1m south-west of the jambstone is a prostrate slab, 0.65m by 0.10 thick and at least 0.46m if erect; its original function is unclear and may not be in its original position. Approximately 3.7m south of this a stone protrudes from the ground. It measures 0.55m by 0.37m and is 0.25m high. The function of this stone is unknown but it might represent a kerbstone. Despite the scant nature of the remains sufficient structure is present to allow classification, with confidence, as a court tomb. The surviving remains suggest a gallery of two chambers which would be typical for tombs in this part of Donegal. DG080-034----_01.pdf. Plan of the court tomb. DG080-034----_01.jpg. View of the tomb looking south-east. The ranging rod stands beside the jambstone. DG080-034----_02.jpg. View of the tomb looking west-north-west with the backstone in the foreground. The ranging rod on the right stands beside the jambstone and the ranging rod on the left stands beside the possible kerb stone. Compiled by: Paul Walsh Date of upload: 1 September 2014

Cointe Cró Court Tomb, Glencolmcille is a Neolithic court tomb, dating to approximately 3500–2500 BCE. It is significant as part of a broader network of megalithic tombs in the northwest of Ireland, reflecting early communal burial practices and landscape use.

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