Megalithic tomb in Legaltan

This monument stands close to the N shore of Legaltan Lough, 1.5km N of Ballyshannon, and is liable to flooding when the lake rises. The outlook from the site is limited by a gradual rise to the N, by a low ridge just beyond the lake to the S, and by a low drumlin-like hill closeby to the E. The structure is largely collapsed. Only two stones are in their original position, and both are hatched on the plan. The remains are partly enclosed by a low mound, apparently composed of small stones, some or all of which may derive from field clearance. This measures 5m N-S by 4.5m E-W and is c. 0.2m high. The southern one of the two set stones, aligned NW-SE, is gabled in outline and leans north-eastward slightly. This is 1m long, 0.5m thick and 0.55m high. The northern set stone is 1m NNE of the last and almost at right angles to it. It leans considerably to the S, is 1.1m long and 0.5m thick and would stand c. 2m high if upright. Between the set stones and leaning northward against both is a displaced slab measuring 1.8m by 1.1m by 0.4m thick. A slab, at least 2m in maximum dimension, lies prostrate and partly buried beside the W end of the southern set stone. Resting on this, on the set stone at the S and on the stone leaning northward against both set stones is a large slab measuring 2.3m by 1.45m by 0.35m thick. At the N of the mound is another large slab, 2.4m by 2m by 0.35-0.45m thick, which leans against the last. A further slab, 2m by 0.8m by 0.3m thick, lies prostrate at the eastern edge of the mound. The presence of two set stones and the nature and disposition of the other slabs indicate that this was a small megalithic chamber, and it can be interpreted as a portal tomb chamber opening to the NE. In this interpretation the set stone at the S would serve as a backstone, the other set stone as a portal-stone, the prostrate stone at the eastern edge of the mound as a matching portal-stone, the stone leaning northward against the two set stones as one side of the chamber, and the partly buried, prostrate slab at the W end of the southern set stone as the opposite side. The large leaning slab at the N edge of the mound may have served as the chamber roofstone, and the slab against which it now leans may have served as a subsidiary roofstone. The employment of a subsidiary roofstone could be expected given the marked difference in height between the suggested backstone and the two possible portal-stones. Verification of this interpretation would require further investigation, and it is considered prudent, in view of the considerably collapsed state of the monument, to leave it unclassified. Ó Nualláin 1989, 142; RMP 1995, 107:110. The above description was published in the 'Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume VI, County Donegal.' Compiled by: Eamon Cody (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). Date of upload: 22 September 2008 See linked document with details from Eamon Cody, Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume VI. County Donegal. (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002)

Megalithic tomb in Legaltan is a portal dolmen dating to the Neolithic period, c. 4000–2500 BCE. It represents an early form of megalithic funerary architecture and is significant as part of the broader tradition of stone monument construction in western Ireland.