kids encyclopedia robot

Dolmen of the Four Maols facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Dolmen of the Four Maols
Native name
Irish: Dolmain na gCeithre Maol
Clogbogle
Ballina Portal Tomb
Table of the Giants
County Mayo - Dolmen of the Four Maols - 20150308141035.jpg
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
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).

The Dolmen of the Four Maols is a cist and National Monument located in County Mayo, Ireland.

Location

The Dolmen of the Four Maols is located on Primrose Hill overlooking the River Moy, southwest of Ballina, outside the Road Safety Authority office.

History

This cist was erected c. 2000 BC.

According to Irish legend, in the early 7th century Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin was King of Connacht. The rightful king, Cellach of Killala, had become a priest and later bishop of Kilmoremoy (Ballina). Four of Guaire Aidne's brothers murdered him; they are known as the four Maols from the Irish word maol, "bald", referring to their tonsures – they were students of Cellach's (Mael Mac Deoraidh, Maelcroin, Maeldalua, and Maelseanaigh). The four Maols were quartered at Ardnaree and then, supposedly, buried on Primrose Hill under the Dolmen of the Four Maols.

Description

The massive capstone rests on three stones forming three sides of the square chamber. A fourth stone (probably the fourth side) lies nearby.

kids search engine
Dolmen of the Four Maols Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.