List of megalithic monuments in Ireland facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This is a list of incredible megalithic monuments found all over Ireland. These are huge stone structures built by people long, long ago, often for burials or special ceremonies. Imagine ancient builders moving massive stones without modern machines! These amazing sites include burial places like passage tombs, portal tombs, and wedge tombs (also called dolmens). They also include ceremonial spots like stone circles and stone rows.

What Are Megalithic Monuments?
- Why Were They Built?
- How Old Are They?
Types of Amazing Stone Monuments
Other Important Sites
Images for kids
See also

What Are Megalithic Monuments?

Megalithic means "made of big stones." These monuments are prehistoric structures, meaning they were built before written history. They tell us a lot about the people who lived in Ireland thousands of years ago. These ancient builders used their knowledge of engineering and astronomy to create these lasting landmarks.

Why Were They Built?

Most megalithic monuments were built for two main reasons:

Burial Sites: Many were tombs where ancient people buried their dead. These tombs could be simple or very complex, sometimes holding many burials.
Ceremonial Sites: Others were used for special gatherings, rituals, or to mark important events. Some might have been connected to the sun, moon, or stars.

How Old Are They?

These monuments are incredibly old! Many were built during the Neolithic (New Stone Age) and Bronze Age, which means they are between 4,000 and 6,000 years old. Think about that – they were built long before the pyramids of Egypt!

Types of Amazing Stone Monuments

Ireland is famous for its many different kinds of megalithic sites. Each type has its own unique design and purpose.

Passage Tombs: Ancient Burial Mounds

Passage tombs are large burial mounds with a long stone passage leading to a central burial chamber. The whole structure is usually covered by a mound of earth or stones called a cairn. Some of the most famous ones are aligned with the sun during important times of the year, like the winter solstice.

Annadorn Dolmen in Down
Carrowkeel Tombs in Sligo (5,100–5,400 years old)
Dowth in Meath (part of Brú na Bóinne)
Giant's Ring in Down
Knockmany Passage Tomb in Tyrone
Knockroe Passage Tomb in Kilkenny
Knowth in Meath (part of Brú na Bóinne)
Newgrange or Sí an Bhrú in Meath (part of Brú na Bóinne, 5,000 years old)
Tibradden in Dublin
Townleyhall in Louth (part of Brú na Bóinne)

Portal Tombs: Giant Stone Gateways

Portal tombs are often called "dolmens." They look like giant stone tables or gateways. They usually have two tall upright stones (the "portal" stones) with a huge capstone resting on top. These were also used as burial places.

Ballykeel Dolmen in Armagh
Ballylumford Dolmen in Antrim (4,000 years old)
Brownshill Dolmen in Carlow (5,000–6,000 years old)
Goward Dolmen in Down
Kilclooney More in Donegal (has two portal tombs)
Kilmogue in Kilkenny
Legananny Dolmen in Down
Meehambee Dolmen in Roscommon (5,500 years old)
Poulnabrone dolmen in Clare
Slidderyford Dolmen in Down

Wedge Tombs: Stone Age Burial Chambers

Wedge tombs are shaped like a wedge, getting narrower and lower from the front to the back. They are usually found in the west and southwest of Ireland. They were built later than passage or portal tombs, during the Bronze Age.

Ballyedmonduff Wedge Tomb in Dublin
Coom Wedge Tomb in Kerry
Kilmashogue in Dublin (also has portal tombs and standing stones)
Labbacallee in Cork
Lisnadarragh Wedge Tomb in Monaghan

Court Tombs: Open-Air Burial Places

Court tombs have an open, U-shaped or oval courtyard area at the front, leading into a burial chamber. It's thought that ceremonies or gatherings took place in these courtyards.

Aghanaglack in Fermanagh (a double court tomb)
Audleystown Court Tomb in Down
Ballyalton Court Tomb in Down
Ballymacaldrack Court Tomb in Antrim
Cloghanmore in Donegal
Cohaw in Cavan
Gartnanoul in Cavan
Kilclooney More in Donegal (also has two portal tombs)

Stone Circles and Rows: Mysterious Alignments

Stone circles are rings of standing stones, while stone rows are lines of stones. These were likely used for ceremonies, marking important dates, or observing the sky.