Wedge tomb in Maumnahaltora

The northernmost tomb, named Altar/An Althóir, consists of the ruins of a gallery flanked at either side by an outer-wall. The gallery appears to have been about 5m in overall length and is divided into 3 sections. A short portico at the W is separated from the main chamber by a large septal-stone which protrudes beyond the gallery walls at either side. The portico is about 1m long and was probably about .9m wide but the N side is missing. The S side consists of a single slab and this is linked to the outer-wall by a facade stone. The main chamber consists of 2 elements, differentiated from each other by a pair of transverse stones set into the gallery walls. The front section is 1.2m long and .8m wide and the side walls are each formed by a single slab. The S wall is doubled. The E section of the main chamber is .9m wide but the E end is missing. The N side consists of 3 stones and the S of two. On the N side, 3 stones form a doubling of the gallery wall. The levels of the sidestones of the tomb indicate a general decrease in height from W to E, and the E section narrows slightly towards the back. The outer-wall on either side is represented by 4 stones, those on the S side converging sharply on the E end of the gallery. A shallow curved depression is visible in the ground beyond the W end of the tomb. A prostrate stone, 1.6m in maximum dimension, lies to the S of the front of the tomb. This apparently bears a number of cup-marks (CKFC 1939, 53; Sheehy 1982, 32). The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 35, Tomb 3. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. See linked document with details from Ruaidhrí de Valera and Seán Ó Nualláin, Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume IV. Counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary. (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1982) This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (No. 5/1970). Date of upload: 6 August 2013