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Aghnaskeagh Cairns
Carna Áth na Sceach
Aghnaskeagh Cairns is located in Ireland
Aghnaskeagh Cairns
Location in Ireland
Location Aghnaskeagh, Jenkinstown,
County Louth, Ireland
Region Cooley Peninsula
Coordinates 54°03′41″N 6°21′29″W / 54.061279°N 6.357918°W / 54.061279; -6.357918
Type chambered cairns
History
Material limestone
Founded c. 4000–2500 BC
Periods Neolithic
Site notes
Archaeologists Emyr Estyn Evans
Public access yes
National Monument of Ireland
Official name Aghnaskeagh
Reference no. 326

Aghnaskeagh Cairns is a chambered cairn and portal tomb forming a National Monument in County Louth, Ireland.

Location

Aghnaskeagh Cairns are located 2.1 km (1.3 mi) south of Slieve Foy, to the west of the N1.

History and archaeology

The two cairns may have been connected by a gallery.

Portal tomb

The northern cairn is a dolmen (portal tomb) with the capstone missing. Two portal stones (2.8 m / 9 ft high) and a back stone remain. Six Bronze Age cist burials were later added. Archeologists found potsherds, cremated bone, food vessels and a blue glass bead on the site, as well as the remains of blackberries under one of the cists, presumably as grave-goods.

Chambered cairn

The southern cairn is a chambered cairn with four cists at the eastern end. Excavations revealed cremated bone, potsherds and scrapers. A burial was also made here in the early Christian era.

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