From top: Large capstone rests on smaller, secondary capstone, rests on backstone and padstone, rests on sidestone. The padstone levels out the secondary capstone, blowing my theory that the backstone was once taller and that the large stone in the chamber is part of this.
Western sidestone.
From behind. The sidestone and the backstone protrude from ground level that is lower than the level of the ground at the front of the tomb, making the whole thing about 5 metres tall from bottom of backstone to tip of capstone.
Chamber with large stone on the floor. I speculated that this was part of the backstone that snapped off and fell into the chamber. I’m probably wrong but can’t figure out any other basis for its presence.
Eastern sidestone with quartz veins.
Paulie is in this shot for scale.
Clockwise from bottom: Doorstone, eastern portal, large capstone and eastern portal.
Superb site, perfect in every way.
Useful co-pilot provides an indication of the great height of this monument.
The tomb interior, with doorstone to the left and backstone to the right. The underside of the secondary capstone is visible at the top of the picture.
“The thing’s hollow... it goes on forever... and... oh... my God... it’s full of stars!”
After packing all my gear back into the car in the rain I spotted a long stretch of sunshine on the hills to my west and sure enough, a few minutes later in the softening rain some glorious evening sunshine broke through. If you look carefully through the trees you can see the rainbow in the rain that had passed over.
19/08/06
19/08/06
19/08/06
Taken from the field. I cant picture now how badly overgrown it was, all I know is I hopped over the wall last time I was here and didn’t bother taking pictures.
The hedge has been cleared away from the dolmen, you can almost picture it now in the context of the landscape.
Kilmogue Dolmen
Leac an Scail
The Titan, Atlas, was ordered to stand and support the high heavens on his shoulders, a comparison that often comes to mind at portal tombs; all those vast blocks held from plummeting by ancient limbs and ingenuity. None is held higher than here, the tallest (portal tomb) portal stones in the British Isles; 3.6m and 3.5m from the ground and capped by a great horned firmament, starred, appropriately, with blazing quartz.
Equally impressive is the symbiosis between this primus and the secondary capstone. Neither, being otherwise supported on just one side, would stay aloft without its companion. The former rests on one portal and the doorstone, then pins the latter onto the backstone and a pad on one sidestone. Have a look at Ryaner’s photograph, from behind the monument, for a partial illustration.
*Measurements taken from the (very, very thorough): Kytmannow, ‘Portal Tombs In The Landscape’, BAR 455, 2008, 37. Great book.
Kilmogue is a fabulous portal tomb and should be on anyones list if they are in the South-East.
Access is easy although you will need a map to find the place because unless your very close there are no sign-posts. It really is surprising how big it is, much bigger than it looks in the pictures.
Also you really have to ask yourself why and how they got that capstone up there.
If you haven’t been to Kilmogue dolmen before, or even if you have, now is the best time to go. The hedges and overgrowth have been cleared to the great credit of the landowner or whoever took the time to clear the site up a bit and its possible to see the dolmen much better than previous visits here where I failed to get a single decent photo. The far side of the dolmen on the other side of the field wall is possibly now the best looking side though both views are impressive. Maybe its just the surprise at being able to see so much more than usual. Look at the photos and plan your journey now!
Kilmogue dolmen, known locally as’ Leac an Scail ’ stone of the warrior, this portal tomb has been constructed using a large capstone resting on two large portal-stones and a pillow stone resting on a backstone. The portal stones are around 14 ft high and the capstone reaches approx 18 ft. The entrance faces NE. This is one of the largest dolmens in Ireland and if you are in this area then Kilmogue dolmen is well worth a visit. This Dolmen is well signposted, but under the name Harristown Dolmen, about a kilometre from Harristown Crossroads you take a left down a country lane and the Portal tomb is hidden behind some bushes at the bottom of the laneway.
