just tipping the capstone
There are many megalithic portal tombs dotted around the
country but this particular Dolmen as with the Brehon's Chair (See earlier post here) is located within the confines of a modern housing estate.
Looking strangely orphaned as it sits alone in the middle of
a green area surrounded by housing this rather nice looking example of its kind
has amazingly stood here since about 2500BC. Some surrounding stones appear to
be missing but it still looks quite solid. The capstone measures approx. 7 feet
by 6 feet and is supported by upright portal stones measuring about 4.5 feet in
height.Being located in the vicinity of close human interaction naturally some damage has been done to the Capstone by some uncaring persons in the form of graffiti most of which thankfully has faded. In the portal chamber, which you can actually gain access if you want, more evidence of neglect is to be found in the form of broken glass. Sad to say that this happens to what is in fact a national monument.
Because of its location I found any form of activity around it seemed to draw curious attention especially if you are photographing it. It took 3 visits for me to actually get up close and photograph it without interruption of some kind. A midweek morning was the best time to visit I found. It really is surprising to find such a gem still surviving in such an unusual location so kudos must go to the planners for working around the Dolmen instead of levelling it. A really nice monument then and very easy to access.
To find the Dolmen take the N11 South and just before the
Loughlinstown roundabout take the left hand turn onto Commons Road. Drive for
approx. 600m until you reach a crossroads with the R119 (Shanganagh Rd). Turn
left here and drive until you reach a roundabout. Take the first exit left onto
Cromlech Fields and 100m on take the first right hand turn onto Aran Avenue.
Drive another 100m and take the next turn right. You will spot the Dolmen in a
green area ahead of you. There is a small parking area to the right of it.
The dolmens and other megaliths (pyramids, cromlechs, and others) were built for defense. Read more http://forum.ozersk.ru/topic/32337-raskritie-tain-drevnosti/
ReplyDeleteMany Thanks. I will check that out.
DeleteI grew up (4-8 years of age) in Shanganagh, about 400m from that dolmen. There were no houses there then and the area was lightly wooded. Myself and a friend felt very brave to sit under the stones. Later we explored the densely wooded area, across the river running along the Commons Road, and came a cross a 'druid's chair', a very large chair made with flat stones for the seat, sides and back, covered in thick vegetation. We each sat on it before running away, in fear of druids. That wooded area is virtually untouched and was never built on because it was frequently flooded by the river. I'm sure that chair is still there although I could never find it again. Patrick
ReplyDeleteHi Patrick, cool tale. I did come across a similar stone chair here. http://irelandinruins.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-druids-judgement-seat-co-dublin.html The whole area around Ballybrack and Killiney seem to have druidic references such as the druid's glen, glendruid etc.
ReplyDelete