{"id":1360,"date":"2010-11-22T13:49:29","date_gmt":"2010-11-22T13:49:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.donegalcottageholidays.com\/blog\/?p=1360"},"modified":"2015-11-29T22:44:38","modified_gmt":"2015-11-29T22:44:38","slug":"kilclooney-dolmen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.donegalcottageholidays.com\/blog\/kilclooney-dolmen\/","title":{"rendered":"Kilclooney Dolmen Donegal"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Kilclooney

Kilclooney Dolmen Donegal<\/p><\/div>\n

Kilclooney Dolmen Donegal<\/strong> – An exceptionally fine portal-tomb or dolmen, prominent on the skyline 1\/4 mile to the east of the main road, 4 miles north-north-west of Ardara<\/a>. It displays the classic features from which this type of monument derives its name. <\/p>\n

t:<\/strong>+353 7495 45010
\nw:<\/strong> www.thedolmencentre.ie<\/p>\n

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The matched portal stones and gracefully uptilted capstone (nearly 20 feet long and one of the largest in Ireland) oversailing the chamber entrance convey a sense of architectural awareness on the part of the builders and its streamlined profile has inspired numerous analogies; a bird, a fish, Concord, etc. depending on the imagination of the observer. The tomb is substantially complete. A low sill-stone set between the 6 feet high portals closes off the chamber entrance. <\/p>\n

The lower end of the capstone does not rest directly on the back-stone as is usually the case, but is supported instead by a small intermediate stone whose function may have been to give increased height to the chamber. Fragments of undecorated Neolithic pottery were the only recorded finds. <\/p>\n

A short distance west of this tomb is another similar construction but on a very much smaller scale. It is now partly collapsed. A modern field wall separates the two, which were evidently mounded over by the same east-facing cairn, traces of which remain.<\/p>\n

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Getting There<\/h3>\n

Take the R261 from Ardara towards Portnoo, just before you get to Kilclooney you will see the Dolmen to your right in a field. Park your car at the Dolmen Centre (Eco-Tourism Centre) and walk over to Kilclooney Church. to the left of it, there is a path in the grass that will lead you up to the Dolmen. It is on the land of a farmer, who is well used to people visiting the Dolmen, just close the gate behind you and don’t be afraid of the friendly dog that will lead the way for you!<\/p>\n

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Kilclooney Dolmen Location Map<\/h3>\n

[mappress mapid=”94″]<\/p>\n

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Location of more Megalithic sites in County Donegal<\/h3>\n