Megalithic tomb in Curraghlea

When in this area in 1845, Thomas Fagan (1845-8) was informed of the destruction, a short time before, of 'two ancient sepultures' that stood a 'few yards' apart. The larger one consisted of 'sundry graves 6 to 8 feet [c. 1.8-2.4m] long enclosed at sides and ends by great flags set upright and edgeways in the ground'. One 'vault' of this structure, known as 'Darby's Bed', was roofed by a great flag, and a 'vault' beside it was known as 'Grania's Bed'. The second sepulture was of similar construction and also consisted of a number of 'graves'. Many of the upright stones forming both structures reportedly stood 2-6 feet (c. 0.6-1.8m) high but lay prostrate at the site when Fagan visited there. A 'few stone hatchets' were said to have been found among the ruins. This site is not shown on OS 6-inch maps. According to Fagan, it lay half a mile (c. 800m) W of the road linking Letterkenny and Dunfanaghy and on the holding of Samuel Gallagher, perhaps he of that name who along with Hugh Gallagher is listed as occupier of a parcel of land of c. 75 acres (c. 30ha) in or around 1857 (Griffith 1848-64). Through examination of the relevant valuation maps it was possible to identify what may have been the holding in question. Limited local enquiry and search in the area revealed neither knowledge of nor any likely remnant of the features described by Fagan. Although the nature of the remains is quite uncertain, it may be that two chambered graves, perhaps constituent parts of a single large monument, stood here until around 1845. Fagan 1845-8, book 6, 10. 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