Ballymacaldrack

(AKA Dooey's Cairn)

The court tomb at Ballymacaldrack is very well preserved. It has a court that was originally paved and consists of 12 orthostats and two portal stones leading to a roofless burial chamber. Excavations in 1975 showed that behind the chamber is an originally timber roofed passage that contained bones of at least 5 adults that had been cremated, which suggests the passage may have been actually used for the cremations

Another unusual feature of this court tomb is that it faces south west. The image below shows the northern kerb of the cairn which is in excellent condition. The stones here are covered in the most amazing brightly coloured orange lichen I have ever seen, see image left. The tomb is easily accessible through a gate on the main road and is situated in a fenced enclosure.

Situated: From Ballymena take the M2 north for 11 kilometres then take a left turn for the B93, then right onto the B93 after 3 kilometres bear left at the fork onto the B16. The after a further 5 kilometres turn left (Signposted) for Dooey's cairn, the site is 200 metres down this road on your left. From Ballymoney take the B16 South, then take the second right after Dunloy.

Discoverer Map 8: C 021 182. Last visit July 2006.

Longitude: 6° 24' 16"  W

Latitude: 55° 0' 6" N

Google Map.

Photos: Jim Dempsey

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