Craigs Dolmen

Craigs Dolmen (also known as the Broad Stone) is situated three miles north of Rasharkin, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, close to a minor road, at a height of 200m on the Long Mountain.^[1] Craigs Dolmen passage tomb is a State Care Historic Monument in the townland of Craigs, in Borough of Ballymoney, at grid ref: C9740 1729.^[2]

Features

It features a big capstone on seven upright stones and ^[3] is wrongly assumed to be a dolmen, actually being a Passage tomb.^[4] The capstone was shattered in 1976 by lightning. It was repaired in 1985 and excavation at the time showed that the chamber was the remains of a passage tomb. It was probably built before 2000 BC, but re-used for burial in the Bronze Age.^[5]

The large capstone over the entrance and the first chamber of this 3-chambered tomb was re-erected using an upright stone at the rear which probably was not an original feature. The almost semicircular forecourt faces south-east. The Broad Stone was only a popular place for meetings and assemblies.^[1]

Nearby site

On the other site of the road and 800m south-west is a small passage tomb. Seven close, tall uprights support a flat capstone measuring 210x160cm. On the south-west side, two fallen stones may be the remains of a short passage. No cairn survives.^[1]

See also

• List of archaeological sites in County Antrim

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Weir, A (1980). Early Ireland. A Field Guide. Belfast: Blackstaff Press. p. 95. 
2. ^ "Craigs Dolmen". Environment and Heritage Service NI - State Care Historic Monuments. http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/state_care_monuments_2007.pdf. Retrieved 2007-12-05. 
3. ^ "Craigs Dolmen, Rasharkin". The Causeway Coast and Glens. http://www.causewaycoastandglens.com/Explore/TownsandVillages/Ballymoney/tabid/409/Default.aspx. Retrieved 2007-12-05. 
4. ^ "Craigs Dolmen". Ballymoney Borough Council - Heritage and Environment. Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. http://web.archive.org/web/20071012182125/http://www.ballymoney.gov.uk/htmlsite/heritagedetails.asp?id=13. Retrieved 2007-12-05. 
5. ^ "Craigs Dolmen". Irish Antiquities. http://irishantiquities.bravehost.com/antrim/craigs.html. Retrieved 2007-12-05. ^{[dead link]}

External links

• Shadows and Stone - Photographs of Craigs Dolmen

Coordinates: 54°59′36.90″N 6°28′42.76″W / 54.993583°N 6.4785444°W / 54.993583; -6.4785444