Proleek Dolmen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Proleek Dolmen |
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| Native name Irish: Dolmain Phroilíg |
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| The Giant's Load Proleek Cromlech |
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| Type | dolmen |
| Location | Proleek, Ravensdale, County Louth, Ireland |
| Area | Cooley Peninsula |
| Elevation | 21 m (69 ft) |
| Height | 4 m (13 ft) |
| Built | c. 3000 BC |
| Official name: Proleek | |
| Reference no. | 476 |
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The Proleek Dolmen is an ancient stone tomb found in County Louth, Ireland. It is also known as a portal tomb. This amazing structure is considered a National Monument of Ireland.
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Where to Find Proleek Dolmen
Proleek Dolmen is located about 4.3 kilometers (2.7 miles) northeast of Dundalk. You can find it on the west side of the Ballymascanlan River. It sits in a beautiful area, showing how people lived long ago.
The History of Proleek Dolmen
This dolmen was built a very long time ago, around 3000 BC. This was during the Neolithic period, also known as the New Stone Age. People used this tomb to bury their dead. They would place the ashes of people who had been cremated inside.
Often, special items called grave goods were buried with them. These items could include tools, beads, and pottery. These objects give us clues about what life was like back then.
Some people believe the tomb was built to face certain directions. It might point towards Slieve Gullion mountain. It could also be aligned with the setting sun during the summer solstice. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year.
Legends and Stories About the Dolmen
Local stories add to the mystery of Proleek Dolmen. One legend says a giant named Para Buidhe Mór Mhac Seoidin carried the dolmen here. He was a Scottish giant. Para challenged Fionn mac Cumhaill, a famous Irish hero, to a fight. Fionn was clever and poisoned a nearby river. Para drank from the river and was buried at a nearby wedge tomb.
Another fun tradition involves visitors to the dolmen. If you can balance three stones on top of the dolmen, you might get a wish granted. Some say it means you will get married within a year!
What Proleek Dolmen Looks Like
The Proleek dolmen is made of several huge stones. It has two tall portal stones at the front. There is also a lower backstone at the rear. On top of these stones sits a massive capstone. This capstone is the largest stone and weighs about 40 tonnes. That's like the weight of about eight elephants! The opening, or portal, of the tomb faces towards the northwest.
About 90 meters (100 yards) southeast of the dolmen, there is another ancient site. It is a Wedge-shaped gallery grave, sometimes called "Giant's Grave." This tomb has a long gallery that is about 6.7 meters (22 feet) long.
