Dermot and Granias Bed (1904–5) — Málainn Mhóir

This monument (National Monument no. 139 (4) in state care) is one of seven megalithic tombs (Dg. 90-96) in this townland located on either the N side or the floor of a shallow valley opening onto the N end of Malin Bay. This is the westernmost of three portal tombs (see also Dg. 93 and Dg. 94) on the N side of the valley and stands on grass-grown boggy ground 450m N of a stream that flows westward along the valley. There is a good outlook from the site. The monument consists of two elements c. 5m apart. The eastern element is represented by four large slabs bearing on each other. The western one consists of two opposed slabs leaning against each other. The largest of the four stones of the eastern structure is to the N. The indications are that it may have originally roofed the collapsed chamber. It leans southward and rests against the northern edge of the westernmost of the other three stones. This stone, which it is suggested may have formed the back of the chamber, in turn leans markedly eastward but otherwise appears to be in its original position. It rests against a prostrate slab that in turn overlies one end of another. Both of these may be fallen portal-stones that stood upright opposite each other at the front of the chamber. The northern one now overlies the southern one. The northern end of each of these is thought likely to have been set in the ground. The displaced roofstone measures 3.8m by at least 1.85m and is 0.5m thick. The leaning backstone, which is aligned N-S, is 2.2m long at its base and 0.7m thick and would stand 2.1m high if upright. The top of this stone slopes down somewhat from S to N. The upper one of the two slabs to the E of this measures 2.9m from base to top and when in position would have been 1.1m long by 0.5m thick. The lower slab, when in position, would have measured 0.7m by 0.6m at its presumed base, broadened slightly to mid-height and from there narrowed to 0.35m by 0.3m at the top. This stone measures 3m from base to top. It seems clear that the four slabs are the remains of an E-facing portal tomb chamber. The two leaning slabs of the western element lie E and W of each other. They are 1.3m apart at ground level, but their tops meet. The western one, which leans only slightly, is 1.8m long and 0.5m thick and would stand 1.2m high if upright. It is somewhat gabled in outline and seems to be a set stone. It may have been the backstone of a chamber. The eastern stone leans at an angle of c. 45 degrees. It measures 2.2m by 1.5m and is up to 0.8m thick. It is clearly displaced. Its original role is unclear, but it may have been a roofstone. The original nature of this element is unclear, but it too may have been a portal tomb chamber. If so, the indications are that it faced eastward. Occasional stones at the surface in the vicinity of and between the two structures may represent the remains of a cairn. Thomas Fagan (1845-8), who visited the site in 1847, noted that both elements, then in their present ruined state, stood in a 'paved causeway', and Norman Moore (1872) noted a short ridge, from which several stones protruded, between the two. Fagan 1845-8, book 20, 7-8; N. Moore 1872, 524 (at C); Anon. 1890-91a, 261 ('passing another cromlech in the fields to our right' seems to refer); Borlase 1897, 249, under Banagh nos. 9-20 (paragraph beginning 'At some little distance further down the glen...'); Killanin and Duignan 1967, 292; Ó Nualláin 1968a, 298, no. 15; Herity 1971, 28, no. 33; Ó Nualláin 1983a, 54, no. 199; Ó Nualláin 1983b, 95, Donegal no. 19; SMR 1987, 89:4; Killanin and Duignan 1989, 193; Ó Nualláin 1989, 124; Herity 1990, 49, no. 37; RMP 1995, 89:4. 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)