 |
 |
|
||
|
|||
BROWNE'S HILL County CarlowSignposted 2 miles east of the county town of Carlow, in Browne’s Hill demesne at Kernanstown, this prodigious dolmen may not be one of the most graceful, but it can claim the distinction of having the heaviest capstone of all, not only in Ireland but probably in Europe too.
Other Ancient Stones in County Carlow: Haroldstown Click here to buy the Appletree Press book from Amazon.co.uk. For more information click on: Ireland's Ancient Stones - A Megalithic Heritage by Kenneth McNally, published by Appletree Press. |
Borlase’s round-figure estimate of 100 tons need not be disputed, though it inevitably allows for a margin of error either way, since there is no way of calculating precisely how much it weighs. The massive granite block, measuring almost 20 feet along each side and 5 feet thick, rests on three 6-feet high orthostats at the front, forming a conventional portal and doorstone arrangement, while the back end is lifted clear of the ground on two low boulders. A free-standing upright to one side of the portal may be the remains of a forecourt façade. No other structural stones survive that would indicate the extent of the chamber or to show if there ever was a cairn.[ Back to top ]
All Material © 1999-2009 Irelandseye.com and contributors
