Megalithic Structure

This monument was excavated in 1934 by E. E. Evans (CLAJ 1935, 234-55). It comprises an oval cairn (LH004-032001-), 17.5m long by 11m wide, orientated NNE-SSW, incorporating a portal-tomb to the E and six Bronze Age cists to the W. The tomb, facing N, is represented by portal stones, each 2.7m high, and a back stone standing 2m to the S. The chamber area contained four pockets of cremated bone with some Neolithic and Bronze Age pot sherds and a blue glass bead. The cists (LH004-032002-, LH004-032004-, LH004-032005-, LH004-032006-, LH004-032007-, LH004-032008-) yielded cremations and food vessels. Evidence of iron-smelting was recovered from a furnace area (LH004-032003-) immediately N of the cairn (PRIA (C) 1982, 320-1, fig. 36). This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 36/1934) and is also a National Monument in state guardianship: No. 326 The above description is derived from both the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1986) and the 'Archaeological Survey of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1991). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 July 2007

Portal tomb within an oval cairn, dating to the Neolithic period, with later Bronze Age additions including six cists. Its significance lies in the rare combination of early megalithic and later funerary elements, reflecting long-term use of the site.