Muckish Mountain Cairn

Marked “Meskanmave” on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map, it consists of a cairn of loose stones c. 22m in diameter and c. 5m in height. Its flat top is c. 6m in diameter. A small heap of stones 1m high is piled up on top. From the S edge of the cairn two ruined walls run to the edge of the mountain c. 25m away. The cairn which is visible over a wide area is situated near the S or lower side of the level top of Muckish Mountain and possibly conceals further features. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008

A Neolithic cairn, dating to the 4th to 3rd millennia BCE, it represents an early form of megalithic monument used for burial or ritual purposes. Its size and location suggest it may have had regional significance in the prehistoric landscape.