Dolmen of the Four Maols facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dolmen of the Four Maols |
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| Native name Irish: Dolmain na gCeithre Maol |
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| Clogbogle Ballina Portal Tomb Table of the Giants |
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| Type | cist |
| Location | Primrose Hill, Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland |
| Elevation | 19 m (62 ft) |
| Height | 1.28 m (4 ft 2 in) |
| Built | c. 2000 BC |
| Owner | Office of Public Works |
| Official name: Ballina Portal Tomb | |
| Reference no. | 145 |
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The Dolmen of the Four Maols is an ancient stone tomb called a cist. It's also a special National Monument in County Mayo, Ireland. People sometimes call it Clogbogle, Ballina Portal Tomb, or the Table of the Giants. This important site helps us learn about ancient times in Ireland.
Contents
Where is the Dolmen of the Four Maols?
This ancient tomb sits on Primrose Hill. It looks over the River Moy, a river in Ireland. You can find it southwest of Ballina, near the Road Safety Authority office.
What is the History of the Dolmen?
Building the Tomb
This stone tomb was built a very long time ago, around 2000 BC. That's about 4,000 years ago! It was created by people who lived in Ireland during the Bronze Age.
The Legend of the Four Maols
According to an old Irish legend, this dolmen is linked to a story from the early 600s AD. At that time, Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin was the King of Connacht. The true king, Cellach of Killala, had become a priest and later a bishop.
The legend says that four of King Guaire Aidne's brothers harmed Bishop Cellach. These four brothers were known as the "four Maols." The word maol in Irish means "bald." This name referred to their special haircuts, called tonsures, which showed they were students of Bishop Cellach. Their names were Mael Mac Deoraidh, Maelcroin, Maeldalua, and Maelseanaigh.
The story claims that the four Maols were punished in a severe way at a place called Ardnaree. Then, people believe they were buried on Primrose Hill, right under this very Dolmen of the Four Maols.
What Does the Dolmen Look Like?
The Dolmen of the Four Maols has a very large, heavy stone on top. This big stone is called a capstone. It rests on three other stones that form three sides of a square room or chamber. There is also a fourth stone lying nearby. This fourth stone was probably the missing side of the chamber.
