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Carricknagat Megalithic Tombs

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Elevation
  
63 m (207 ft)

Reference no.
  
277.01

Built
  
c. 4000–2500 BC

Carricknagat Megalithic Tombs

Type
  
wedge-shaped gallery grave and dolmen

Location
  
Carricknagat, Ballygawley, County Sligo, Ireland

Carricknagat Megalithic Tombs are megalithic tombs and a National Monument located in County Sligo, Ireland.

Contents

Location

Carricknagat is located halfway between Ballygawley and Ballintogher, near a source of the Ballisodare River.

History

Carricknagat tombs were built c. 4000–2500 BC, in the Neolithic.

The name means "the cats' stone" or "the pine martens' stone;" ancient monuments are often said to be haunted by wild animals, possibly representing the spirits of the dead.

West tomb

The tomb to the west, a wedge-shaped gallery grave (wedge tomb) called the Giant's Grave, is trapezoidal in plan with the inner end of a SSE-facing gallery (4 × 2.6 m) and is divided by jambs inset in the gallery walls, with a rear chamber 2 m (7 ft) long. The outer chamber is composed of side-stones, an upright stone and four three kerb-stones.

East tomb

This tomb, a dolmen, is traditionally called Dermot & Grania's Bed.

References

Carricknagat Megalithic Tombs Wikipedia