Portal tomb in Duffcastle

Situated on the side of a ridge. This E-facing chamber is 2m long. The southern of two large stones at the entrance is a portal-stone, 1.8m high. The other, 1.4m high, appears to be a doorstone. The northern portal-stone is missing. Single stones form the sides of the chamber. The northern is 1m high and the southern, now collapsed inwards, was of like height. The backstone, 1.5m high, leans inwards. The front end of a great roofstone rests on the portal-stone but its opposite end has tilted into the chamber. Two stones at the inner end of the collapsed sidestone are of uncertain origin. (de Valera and Ó Nualláin 1972, 134, No. 36) 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. Its entrance stones and orientation are typical of megalithic tombs in Atlantic Europe, reflecting early ceremonial and funerary practices.