Slievenaglasha Wedge Tomb facts for kids

The Slievenaglasha wedge tomb is an ancient stone structure in County Clare, Ireland. It is a special type of burial place called a wedge-shaped gallery grave. Today, it is protected as a National Monument because of its historical importance.

This tomb was built by people who lived in Ireland thousands of years ago. It gives us clues about how they lived and buried their dead.

Where is Slievenaglasha Wedge Tomb?

The Slievenaglasha wedge tomb sits on top of a hill. This hill is on the western edge of a unique rocky area called The Burren. It is about 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles) southeast of a village called Carran.

You can find it in a small area known as Slievenaglasha. This area is part of the larger parish of Kilnaboy.

History of the Ancient Tomb

Wedge tombs like Slievenaglasha were built a very long time ago in Ireland. This was during the late Neolithic period and the early Bronze Age. The Neolithic period was when people first started farming. The Bronze Age followed, when people learned to use bronze for tools.

These tombs were built between 2500 and 2000 BC. That means they are over 4,000 years old! The Slievenaglasha tomb has been damaged over time. Some damage was recorded in 1894.

What is a Wedge Tomb?

A wedge tomb is a type of ancient burial site. It is shaped like a wedge, meaning it is wider at the front and gets narrower towards the back. These tombs usually have a long, narrow chamber. This chamber is made from large stone slabs.

They were often covered with a mound of earth or smaller stones. People would have used them to bury their dead. Sometimes, many people were buried in the same tomb over a long period.

The Legend of the Magical Cow

Local stories tell a magical tale about the Slievenaglasha wedge tomb. People believed it was connected to a special sea-green cow named Glas Gaibhnenn. This cow was said to have been taken from Spain by a smith named Gavida.

The legend says that all the rivers on the mountain flowed from this magical cow's udders. There is even a place nearby called the "source of the seven streams." One day, a tricky old woman, called a hag, tried to milk the cow into a sieve instead of a pail. Because of this, the cow either died of sadness or left the area forever. Another version of the story says the cow belonged to a person named Lon Mac Liomtha. People believed that this special herd of cows was kept at the Slievenaglasha wedge tomb.

What Remains of the Tomb?

Today, the Slievenaglasha wedge tomb is mostly in ruins. It was once a much larger and more complete structure. What you can see now is mainly one very large stone slab. This slab is 3.5 meters (about 11 feet 6 inches) long. It forms part of the northwest wall of the tomb.

The wall on the other side is gone. The large stone that would have covered the top, called the capstone, is also damaged or missing. Even though it's a ruin, it still shows us how impressive these ancient tombs once were.