Carricknagat Megalithic Tombs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carricknagat |
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| Native name Irish: Tuamaí Meigiliteach Charraig na gCat |
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| Dermot & Grania's Bed and Giant's Grave | |
| Type | wedge-shaped gallery grave and dolmen |
| Location | Carricknagat, Ballygawley, County Sligo, Ireland |
| Elevation | 63 m (207 ft) |
| Built | c. 4000–2500 BC |
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National Monument of Ireland
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| Official name: Carricknagat | |
| Reference no. | 277.01 |
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.
Description
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.
