Megalithic Tombs / Tuamaí Meigiliotacha (Clocha Móra)

Altar, Co. Cork

This wedge tomb at Altar, Co. Cork illustrates well the wedge-shape of these monuments. The townland name in this case is derived from the tomb, referred to in the past as an altar

Courtesy of Con Brogan

Altar, Co. Cork
Courtesy of Con Brogan

Altar, Co. Cork

This wedge tomb at Altar, Co. Cork illustrates well the wedge-shape of these monuments. The townland name in this case is derived from the tomb, referred to in the past as an altar

Courtesy of Con Brogan

Enlarge image

Some of our best-known megalithic tombs are passage tombs such as Newgrange and these often remain fully buried beneath circular cairns of stones, with a passage leading to the burial chamber. They are found often on hilltops and generally occur in groups, known as cemeteries. One of the oldest surviving forms of art or decoration in Ireland is found on structural stones in some of these tombs, which date from around 3500-2500 BC.
Wedge tombs get their name from the fact that the chamber is frequently wedge-shaped in both plan and profile. Excavation has shown that these tombs date from the transition period between the Stone Age and the Bronze Age in Ireland (2500-2000 BC).

Carrowkeel, Co. Sligo

Two passage tombs from the cemetery at Carrowkeel on the Bricklieve Mountains, Co. Sligo

Courtesy of Con Brogan

Carrowkeel, Co. Sligo
Courtesy of Con Brogan

Carrowkeel, Co. Sligo

Two passage tombs from the cemetery at Carrowkeel on the Bricklieve Mountains, Co. Sligo

Courtesy of Con Brogan

Enlarge image

Ás Gaeilge:

Is tuamaí pasáiste iad cuid de na tuamaí meigiliotacha is clúití dá bhfuil againn. Sí na Bóinne is ea ceann acu agus go minic, bíonn siad curtha go hiomlán faoi chairn chiorclacha de chlocha agus bíonn pasáiste ann chuig an seomra adhlactha. Is minic a bhíonn siad suite ar bharr cnoc agus go ginearálta bíonn siad tógtha i ngrúpaí ar a dtugtar reiligí. Bíonn ceann de na foirmeacha ealaíne nó maisithe is sine in Éirinn atá tagtha slán le fáil ar chlocha struchtúrtha i gcuid de na tuamaí seo. Baineann siad le 3500-2500 RC nó mar sin.
Tá tuamaí dinge ainmnithe as an gcruth dinge a bhíonn ar an seomra ó thaobh plean agus próifile de araon. Tá léirithe ag obair thochailte go mbaineann na tuamaí seo leis an tréimhse athraithe idir an Chlochaois agus an Chré-Umhaois in Éirinn (2500-2000 RC).