Annadorn Dolmen is a dolmen sited at the Buck's Head near Loughinisland, in the townland of Annadorn. Nearby you can find the old Annadorn school and post office in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is on the north-east shore of Loughinisland Lake, on a hillock overlooking Loughinisland Churches, a group of three ruined churches.[1][2] The site is a State Care Historic Monument at grid ref: J4289 4591.[3] Co-ordinates: Latitude: 54° 20' 29.97" N Longitude: 5° 48' 8.72" W [4]

Annadorn Dolmen, October 2009

Features edit

The dolmen has a large, low, slightly displaced capstone about 65 cm thick covering a rectangular chamber and supported by three stones about 60 cm high. An account of 1802 suggests that it was formerly set beneath a large rectangular cairn 60 ft in diameter and approached by a lintelled passage, so it could be the remains of a passage grave.[1][2] The 1802 account also says the chamber under the capstone contained ashes and a number of bones.[5]

History edit

In the 18th century, Thomas Russell, co-founder and leader of the United Irishmen, used this stone as a platform for his gatherings in Loughinisland.[5]

Gallery edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland (1983). Historic Monuments of Northern Ireland. Belfast: HMSO. p. 88.
  2. ^ a b Harbinson, P. (1992). Guide to National and Historic Monuments of Ireland. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan. p. 104.
  3. ^ "Annadorn Dolmen" (PDF). State Care Historic Monuments. Retrieved 14 July 2009.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Annadorn Dolmen". The Modern Antiquarian. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  5. ^ a b "Annadorn Dolmen". A Journey through Kinelarty. Archived from the original on 22 March 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2009.

54°20′31.75″N 5°48′12.52″W / 54.3421528°N 5.8034778°W / 54.3421528; -5.8034778

External links edit