Cashel Megalithic Tomb — Fanad

This ruined structure, much overgrown by bushes, first came to notice in 1994. It stands on a slight break on a relatively steep fall of ground. Just upslope from the site is an old roadway, and immediately beyond this is a large stone quarry that was in use until the beginning of the 20th century. The site, at the northern end of the Fanad peninsula, commands an extensive view northward out to sea. The monument seems to have been a single-chamber structure, perhaps polygonal in outline, measuring 2.5m long (N-S) and 2m in maximum width, which it attains at mid-length, from where it narrows to both ends. A single set stone, 0.4m high, forms the narrow N end of the chamber. A single orthostat, set at an obtuse angle to the N end of the chamber, remains on the E side. It is 0.7m in internal height. The W side of the chamber is concave in outline and consists of three set stones and some dry-walling. There is a gap of 0.6m between the N end of the chamber and the northernmost of the three set stones, which is 0.15m high. Two small pad-stones (not on plan) rest on this and support an almost prostrate slab, the outer end of which is now buried. It measures 1.7m by at least 0.8m by 0.25m thick. The status of this stone is uncertain, but it may be a corbel. It partly overlies but does not touch the next set stone on the W side, which is 0.2m high. The third stone on this side is 0.7m high. Beyond this are two blocks of stone that appear to be the remnant of a dry-wall infill. Each is c. 0.25m long and c. 0.25m high. A prostrate slab, 1.45m by 0.5m by 0.4m, now marks the S end of the chamber. It is likely, though not certain, that it originally stood here. There are two displaced slabs within the chamber. One, shown on the plan, measures 1.25m by 0.8m by 0.25m thick. It partly overlies another (not on plan), which measures at least 0.6m in maximum dimension. This seems to be some form of ancient burial chamber, the age and precise nature of which remain to be determined. RMP 1995, 8:25. 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