Megalithic tomb in Ballystrang

The remains of 'an ancient sepulture called Dermot and Grania's Bed' were to be seen in Thomas Moore's kitchen garden in this townland in 1846 (Fagan 1845-8). It was represented by a 'few' large stones, 21/2 feet (c. 0.75m) high, which had been incorporated in a field fence. According to Fagan, the structure may originally have measured 20 feet by 9 feet (c. 6.1m by 2.75m). Fagan also noted the 'ruins' of another sepulture, measuring 9 feet by 8 feet (c. 2.75m by 2.4m) at the end of Thomas Moore's dwelling, the stones of which 'are now absorbed in the soil around them'. He added that many similar structures were reportedly destroyed here and that decayed bones were said to have been frequently found in them. This site is not shown on OS 6-inch maps; a note written alongside Fagan's account states that there was not time to insert the antiquities in this area on the OS 6-inch map of 1847-8. The Thomas Moore referred to above may well be the Thomas Moore listed as occupier of a house and c. 25 acres (c. 10ha) of land in this townland in or around 1857 in land valuation records (Griffith 1848-64). Examination of the relevant valuation maps has enabled the location of the grass-grown foundations of what may have been his house. The location, at a position 76.8cm from the left-hand side and 20.8cm from the bottom of OS 6-inch sheet 60 (NGR C 111 056), is in an area of rough undulating ground where there are many low, grass-grown, stone-built field fences, some incorporating sizeable slabs. There are now no identifiable traces of a megalithic tomb in the immediate vicinity of the ruined building. Whether the stones noted by Fagan represented the remains of one or more such structures is uncertain. Fagan 1845-8, book 7, 13. 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