Legananny

Portal Tomb

The dolmen at Legananny is probably the most famous and certainly the most photographed megalithic monument in Northern Ireland. I have set out for Legananny many times but never quite got there until now. This portal tomb is a lot smaller than you imagine, but never the less this monument is still very impressive. It is for obvious reasons known as a Tripod dolmen, the same as the tomb at Ballykeel in County Armagh.

This megalith also features distinct shaping or shouldering of one of the uprights, seen clearly in the image above, this shaping which is typical of many megaliths in Northern Ireland, notably the capstone at Ballykeel and also one of the uprights at Wateresk also in County Down. The capstone is likened to a coffin on stilts and you can see why in the image below. I will definitely revisit later in the year.

Situated: About 10 kilometres north-west of Castlewellan at the foot of Slieve Croob. From Castlewellan take the A50 west for Moneyslane, after about 4 kilometres take a right turn for Leitrim, then take a left turn towards Windy Gap, the megalith is well sign-posted from Leitrim.

Discovery Map 20: J 2880 4340. Last visit January 2008.

Longitude: 6° 1' 12" W

Latitude: 54° 19' 23" N

Google Map

Photos: Jim Dempsey.

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