Megalithic tomb in Caoldroim Uachtarach

In 1845 Thomas Fagan (1845-8) visited 'an ancient sepulture locally called Dermot and Grania's Bed' in this townland. His account suggests that there was a mound or cairn here measuring c. 30 yards (c. 27.4m) by 20 yards (c. 18.3m) by 7 feet (c. 2.15m) high in which there were two 'graves', one 7 feet (c. 2.15m) long, the other 9 feet (c. 2.75m) long, and both 2-3 feet (c. 0.6-0.9m) wide. These 'graves' were 'enclosed at sides and ends by great slabs set edge and endways in the ground and standing 1 to 41/2 feet [c. 0.3-1.4m] above the bottom of the graves'. Fagan noted that some interference had taken place at the site. This site is not shown on OS 6-inch maps. According to Fagan, it stood a 1/4 mile (c. 400m) W of the road from Falcarragh to Dunlewy on the holding of James Ferry and Denis Duggan. It is not known whether the former is the James Ferry, one of a number bearing that surname, listed as occupier of a small parcel of land in this townland in 1857 (Griffith 1848-64). A number of persons named Duggan or Doogan are also listed but none with the Christian name Denis, nor is there any instance at this time, some twelve years after Fagan's visit, of a parcel of land in the joint possession of a Ferry and a Duggan. A general search in the area where James Ferry held land in 1857 failed to reveal any trace of the site, and on the basis of limited enquiry there seems to be no local knowledge of it. The precise nature of the feature described by Fagan is uncertain. It is conceivable that it was a megalithic tomb, but more compelling evidence of its nature would be required to warrant its acceptance as such. Fagan 1845-8, book 5, 26. 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