Prehistoric Sites in County Down.

Annadorn Dolmen.
 

(The ford of the tidal pass.)

Annadorn Dolmen is situated in County Down in an area once controlled by the McCartan clan.

A slightly displaced capstone covers the rectangular chamber of which three side stones survive. An early account suggests that this was formerly set in a large circular cairn and approached by a lintelled passage, so it may possibly be the remains of a passage grave.

Directions: 5 ½ miles south east of Ballynahinch on the north east shore of
Loughinisland Lake, within sight of Loughinisland Churches.

  

 

Ballynoe Stone Circle.
 

(New town.)
Go to map.

Ballynoe Stone circle 4 km S of Downpatrick, a very large circle of over 50 stones enclosing a space about 35 meters across. It was modeled on the circle at Swinside in Cumbria which is at exactly the same latitude.

In the E half of the circle is a long low mound which contained large kists.


Co Down
Tel +44 (0)28
E Mail
Web Site

Go to map.

More information about Ballynoe Stone Circle.

 
 

 

Drumena Cashelt.
 

Overlooking Lough Island Reavy on the Castlewellan to Hilltown road, this oval cashel measures about 40m by 33m with a wall averaging 2.75 meters (8.2 Ft) high and 3.3 (10.8 Ft) thick, was excevated in 1925 and was partially restored.

The present entrance may not be original, nor the present main entrance to the souterrain or stone hiding-place which leads from ruins of buildings which may be of recent date.

The souterrain is 15 meters long, 2.1 meters high, and has a rectangular chamber facing the original narrow entrance which is at the opposite end to the modern widened one.


Co Down
Tel +44 (0)28
E Mail
Web Site

More information about Drumena Cashel.

 
 

 

Massfort Court Tomb.
  Situated behind the village of Massfort just to the E of a churchyard are the remains of a court tomb with a four chambered gallery no trace of a forecourt or cairn. Some of its side stones are massive.  

 
  Situated in the townland of Finnis Above Castlewellan this is a simple souterrain which has recently opened to the public, it is known locally as "Binder's Cove". (The word cove is a conflation of the English cave and the Irish uamh.) The main passage is about 30 meters long and the two side-passages on the right hand side are 6 meters long.  

 

The Long Stone.
  The Long Stone a tall thin standing stone 3.3 meters tall - and the only Irish menhir to be supported by a hawser wrapped around a tree. This is reached by a road which passes picturesque Loughmoney Dolmen: just two side stones and a roof stone of a destroyed court-tomb in a field.  

 

The Giants Ring.
 

 

 

Goward Dolman.
 

Known locally as Pat Kearney's big stone it is located in the townland of Goward west of Castlewellan off the Hilltown road (Signposted) It is the remains of a portal tomb dated to 2500- 2000 BC the lower photograph was taken in the late 19th century by R J Walsh and shows a thatched cottage in the background the figure seated in front of the dolman may be Pat Kearney who for many years acted as caretaker and guide of the monument, the cottage in the background his home. Today all that remains of the little cottage are a few moss covered boulders.

Excavations in 1834 unearthed a cremation urn and a flint arrowhead, the capstone is 13 feet (4.0m) long it has slipped from its original position, it is estimated to weigh somewhere in the region of fifty tons. In 1834 a cremation urn and a flint arrowhead were found