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Ballymacgibbon Cairn
Native name
Irish: Carn Bhaile Mhic Giobúin
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Type cairn
Location Ballymacgibbon North, Cross,
County Mayo, Ireland
Elevation 40 m (130 ft)
Height 10 m (33 ft)
Built 4000–2500 BC
National Monument of Ireland
Official name: Ballymacgibbon Cairn
Reference no. 251

Ballymacgibbon Cairn is a cairn and National Monument located in County Mayo, Ireland.

Location

Ballymacgibbon Cairn is atop a hill 1.4 km (0.87 mi) west of Cross, County Mayo.

History

Ballymacgibbon Cairn has never been excavated, but is believed to have been constructed in the Neolithic.

William Wilde claimed that the cairn was erected by the mythical king Eochaid mac Eirc to celebrate Battle of Moytura.

Description

The cairn is a large limestone cairn 30 m (98 ft) across. It is surrounded by a low mound, and kerbstones are visible in several places, one of which has some interesting lines or scratches. The sides are very steep and the top is flat, indicating that it almost certainly contains a passage grave.

There is the remains of a lime kiln attached to the north side of the monument.

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