This oval-shaped monument stretches 12.9 metres from northeast to southwest and spans 7.3 metres at its widest point, rising to a height of 1.75 metres above the surrounding landscape. While its original purpose remains uncertain, hence its classification as ‘unclassified’, the cairn represents one of the many prehistoric monuments that dot the Donegal countryside.

The structure shows signs of practical reuse over the generations; field clearance stones have been added to its northern end, a common practice where farmers would pile rocks removed from their fields onto existing ancient monuments rather than create new stone heaps. This layering of history, where Bronze Age burial practices meet later agricultural necessities, tells a story of continuous human activity in this corner of northwest Ireland.

The cairn was documented as part of the comprehensive Archaeological Survey of County Donegal, conducted in 1983 by Brian Lacey and his team of researchers. This ambitious project catalogued field antiquities spanning from the Mesolithic period through to the 17th century, ensuring that monuments like the Straid cairn are preserved in the historical record, even as farming practices and land use continue to evolve around them.