Dolmen

On S shoreline of Poulnalibe creek, just below high tide level. Two upright parallel stones (axis E-W) support capstone, inclined down slightly to N; backstone near W end does not support capstone (see O'Kelly 1945, plate 1); (N sidestone (H 1.5m; 1.8m x 0.3m), S sidestone (H 1.45m; 1.9m x 0.35m), capstone (1.6m N-S; 1.8m E-W; T 0.2m), backstone (H 1.4m; 0.9m x 0.12m; (O'Kelly (ibid, 13-14) considered it 'a megalithic tomb of the simplest kind' and was practically certain that tomb is a genuine ancient structure'. However, the monument has been the object of some controversey notably its orientation to the E, its locataion on the modern shoreline and the fact that the capstone was replaced at one stage. de Valera and Ó Nualláin (1982, 48) consider 'the present remains are not sufficient to warrant its inclusion in our main list (i.e. list of megalithic tombs in Co. Cork). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009