Portal tomb in Carrickacroy

Situated near the top of a ridge. This small chamber, 1.2m long and not more than 0.8mwide, is entered from the N. The entrance was formed by two portal-stones with a sill, 0.6m high, between them. The W portal-stone is 1.3m high and the other, now prostrate, would have been of similar height. Single stones form the sides and back of the chamber. All three are about 0.5m lower than the portal-stone. The backstone is gable-shaped and leans inwards. A displaced roofstone lies prostrate to the E of the chamber. (de Valera and Ó Nualláin 1972, 133, No. 35) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cavan' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1995). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 22 December 2008 See linked document with details from Ruaidhrí de Valera and Seán Ó Nualláin, Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume III. Counties Galway, Roscommon, Leitrim, Longford, Westmeath, Laoighis, Offaly, Kildare, Cavan. (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1972).

Portal tomb, dating to the Neolithic period (c. 4000–2500 BCE). Its construction reflects early megalithic traditions in Ireland, characterised by portal stones and chambered cairns used for communal burial.