Giants Grave

On sloping ground in thin-soiled pasture with an outlook to the S. The tomb stands in a subrectangular mound (19.5m N-S; 12.5m E-W) (SL035-097002-). Two possible kerbstones are exposed inside the edge of the mound at the SE and another at the NW. The tomb, which faces N, consists of the scant remains of a court represented by an entrance jamb to the E and alongside it a courtstone leading to a gallery (L 9m; Wth 2m) divided into a very short antechamber and three main chambers. A transeptal chamber opens off each side of the first main chamber and just over 2m beyond the gallery a subsidiary chamber opens to the E. A jamb just 0.4m behind the eastern entrance jamb separates the antechamber from the first main chamber. Two stones form each side of this chamber and gaps between them allow entry to the transeptal chambers, the western formed by two stones on each side and a backstone and the eastern represented by opposed stones at its inner end and a backstone. Two jambs, the eastern possibly partly displaced, separate the first main chamber from the second each side of which is formed by two stones. A long sill, flanked at either side by jambs, separates the last from the rear chamber. The W side of this chamber is formed by two stones, only the innermost orthostat survives on the E side, and it is closed by a backstone. The subsidiary chamber is represented by a backstone and two adjoining sidestones. (Ó Nualláin 1989, 69-70, no. 111) Two previously recorded orthostats were noted in 2020: one at the N end of the W wall of the middle chamber of the gallery; the other at the W end of the N wall of the E transeptal chamber (pers. comm. Sam Moore). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005). Date of upload: 18 January 2008 See linked document with details from Seán Ó Nualláin, Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume V. County Sligo. (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1989)

Neolithic passage tomb, dating to approximately 3500–2500 BCE. Its significance lies in its alignment and construction, typical of early megalithic traditions in the region.