Megalithic tomb in Gortmacall More

The monument stands toward the SW end of a low ridge in pasture c. 3km from the inner end of Mulroy Bay and overlooks Lough Fern, which is almost 1km to the SE. There is a good outlook from the site to the E and S. Three stones (hatched on plan) seem to be in situ and may represent the side of a gallery. These stand at the N side of a hedge-grown, earth- and stone-built field fence c. 1m wide. The stones occasion a bulge in the line of the fence. A fourth stone just E of the three is of uncertain status, as are two further stones at the S side of the fence. The three set stones at the N form a slightly curved line that runs roughly NW-SE for 3.7m. The inner faces of all three are hidden by the fence. The westernmost is 0.8m high; the second is 0.8m high; and the third is 1m high. The fourth stone on this side of the fence is 0.5m E of the third and 0.9m high. The western stone at the S face of the fence, the base of which is exposed, is 1.5m high. The eastern stone, partly buried in the fence, measures 1.7m by at least 0.7m by 0.4m. Approximately 1m S of this a prostrate slab, over 1m in maximum dimension, rests on a bulge in the fence. This stone is not shown on the plan. A description of the monument in an OS Revision Name Book (1848) states that it was known as the 'Giant's Bed' by local people and that it then consisted of six stones standing in a circle c. 6 feet (c. 1.8m) in diameter. Two of the stones supported a 'flag'. The three set stones may represent the side of a megalithic chamber with a bellied outline. In light of the information in the OS Revision Name Book, the chamber may have been oval in shape, and two of its orthostats may have supported a lintel. OS Revision Name Book, sheet 36 (1848), 1; Kinahan 1889, 281 ('Gortnacull'); OS 1:2,500 Name Book, sheet 36(1903), 41; KillaninandDuignan 1962, 373; Killanin and Duignan 1967, 374; Ó Nualláin 1983a, 45, no. 128; SMR 1987, 36:17; Ó Nualláin 1989, 142; RMP 1995, 36:17. 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 See linked document with details from Eamon Cody, Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume VI. County Donegal. (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002) PDF document uploaded with details from Eamon Cody, Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume VI. County Sligo. (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002)