What is recorded here

Pollaguill lost its strange tomb before Thomas Fagan arrived in 1845, leaving behind only a memory of vaults built from long flat stones on the western edge of Horn Head. coloured sea pebbles may have paved the floors, suggesting a place where death was arranged with unexpected care rather than abandoned to the soil. Land clearance broke what remained, yet the vanished chamber still resists forgetting because it joined human bones, cinders and maritime colour in a region where the sea touches every decision.

In this townland, 'on a gentle elevation contiguous to the sea shore' at the W side of Horn Head peninsula, there was a 'sepulchral' monument that, according to Thomas Fagan (1845-8), was destroyed during land clearance sometime before his visit there in 1845. It reportedly consisted of 'sundry vaults or graves enclosed at sides and ends with long flat stones pitched end and edgeways in the ground and in some instances covered with stones of similar description'. Decayed bones and cinders were reportedly found in a number of the graves, the floors of some of which were said to have been paved with sea pebbles of different colours. This may have been some form of megalithic monument, but its nature remains uncertain. Fagan 1845-8, book 1, 15. 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

Megalithic tomb, likely Neolithic in origin. Its location near the coast suggests possible ritual or funerary significance related to maritime landscapes.

This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed. The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.