PORTAL TOMBS
MEGALITHIC MONUMENTS
OF IRELAND.COM
OF IRELAND.COM
Portal tombs are what most people refer to as dolmens,dolmen being a frankish word.They are probably the
most striking of all the Megalithic monuments and are instantly recognizable the world over.They are called portal
tombs because they have two very large upright stones in the front of the chamber that form a doorway or portal.
Lying on top of the portal stones is a very large capstone which is usually at an angle of 22 degrees to the
horizontal.These were originally part of one end of a long cairn which,with time and weather,has eroded away and
unfortunately none of these survive in Ireland today.
Sometimes between the portal stones is a door stone or slab,few remain,but they would all have had them once and
would have been removed to gain entry to the tomb.Most portal tombs face towards the east but there are a few
exceptions to this rule.
most striking of all the Megalithic monuments and are instantly recognizable the world over.They are called portal
tombs because they have two very large upright stones in the front of the chamber that form a doorway or portal.
Lying on top of the portal stones is a very large capstone which is usually at an angle of 22 degrees to the
horizontal.These were originally part of one end of a long cairn which,with time and weather,has eroded away and
unfortunately none of these survive in Ireland today.
Sometimes between the portal stones is a door stone or slab,few remain,but they would all have had them once and
would have been removed to gain entry to the tomb.Most portal tombs face towards the east but there are a few
exceptions to this rule.
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| WHEN VISITING ANY OF THESE MONUMENTS,PLEASE ASK PERMISSION FROM THE LANDOWNERS,IF REQUIRED.DO NOT LITTER OR DISTURB THE MONUMENTS. THANK YOU. |
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M M I
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| POULNABRONE PORTAL TOMB CO.CLARE 53 2' 55.29"N... 9 8' 24.05"W |
| PROLEEK PORTAL TOMB CO.LOUTH 54 2' 13.46"N...6 20' 50.54"W |
| FENAGH BEG PORTAL TOMB CO.LEITRIM 54 1' 24.78"N...7 50' 9.58"W |
| CASTLEMARY PORTAL TOMB CO.CORK 51 51' 37.70"N... 8 9' 1.31"W |
| ALTDRUMMIN PORTAL TOMB CO.TYRONE 54 38' 9.51"N...7 6' 21.43"W |