Ballymacgibbon Cairn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ballymacgibbon Cairn |
|
|---|---|
| Native name Irish: Carn Bhaile Mhic Giobúin |
|
| 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.
