Megalithic structure in Málainn Mhóir

Norman Moore (1872) noted what he believed may be the roofstone of a chamber protruding from the heather on a bog-grown ridge to the E of the group of portal tombs (DG089-008----; DG089-008001-; DG089-008002-; DG089-008003-; DG089-008004-; DG089-008005-) in this townland. This supposed chamber, best described as a cist, consists of a roofstone covering a cavity outlined by stones on edge and measuring c. 1m N-S by 1.3m E-W. The structure is open to the N, and single stones form its E, S and W sides. The roofstone overlies these stones, and a pad-stone has been employed to support it above the junction of the eastern and southern stones. The northern end of the roofstone is tilted upward slightly, and the southern end is buried. It measures 1.8m E-W by at least 1.1m N-S and is 0.15m thick. The floor of the cist is no more than 0.6m below the underside of the roofing slab. Just 0.3m W of the open northern end of the structure there are two set stones. The larger one, to the E, measures 0.7m by 0.4m, and both are 0.5m high. Approximately 1.3m to the S is another stone, the tallest at the site. It measures 0.5m by 0.3m by 1.1m high. This stone and the two preceding ones may represent some form of kerb. Approximately 1m W of the possible kerbstones there is a dip in ground level that may indicate the presence of a mound. (N. Moore 1872, 522-3; Borlase 1897, 248, under Banagh nos. 3-8; Herity 1990, 51, no. 44) (National Monument no. 139 (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), 226, no. 43. DG089-022----_01.jpg: View of the monument looking south. DG089-022----_02.jpg: View of the monument looking west. Updated by: Paul Walsh Date of revised upload: 23 March 2015