Megalithic structure in Cill Buaine

This site is known locally as the 'Giant's Grave'. It is located in a S sloping field about 135m SE of the early ecclesiastical site of Killabuonia (KE088-027----), overlooking St Finan's Bay to SW. It consists of an orthostatic monument, of roughly rectangular plan, and a D-shaped mound, 4.5m to N. The former comprises twelve orthostats which enclose a level area measuring 5.34m E-W x 2.88m N-S. The slabs range from 0.34m to 1.3m high and from 0.68m to 0.95m long. The N side is represented by two slabs which incline markedly inwards and appear to define the inner edge of a low bank, 1.4m wide. Three slabs of regular elevation form the W side, and three of the six slabs which form a haphazard line on the S side incline inwards. The stone which forms the E end of the S side is positioned 0.54m S of the next stone to W, and it is not clear if a second line of orthostats originally stood here. Only one stone remains on the E side. The ground falls away irregularly from the S side of the monument; here, there is a large amount of small stones, some prostrate slabs and three uprights. The monument has overall dimensions of 8.7m N-S x 9m E-W, and its level upper surface occurs 1.7m above external ground level to S. The D-shaped, sod-covered mound of earth and stone measures 6.2m N-S x 6.9m E-W. It stands to a maximum height of 1.9m above external ground level at S. Remnants of stone facing are visible on the surface of the mound and for a short stretch at its base at S. One slab on edge is located at NE. A scatter of slabs, largely concealed beneath the sod-cover, occur on its surface. See attached photograph courtesy of Amanda Clarke The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1472. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 1 August 2013