Megalithic tomb, An Dumhaigh, Leitir Mhic An Bhaird, Co. Donegal
On the windswept coast of County Donegal, near Dooey Point, lie the puzzling remains of an ancient megalithic monument that has archaeologists scratching their heads.
Megalithic tomb, An Dumhaigh, Leitir Mhic An Bhaird, Co. Donegal
Situated on rough pasture dotted with exposed rock outcrops, the site overlooks Trawenagh Bay, an inlet of the larger Gweebarra Bay about 400 metres to the north. The monument’s scant remains consist primarily of several standing stones, the most prominent being two tall opposed stones at the western end that appear to mark an entrance to what was once a chamber. The southern stone stands 1.4 metres high, whilst its northern counterpart, currently leaning against it, would reach the same height if upright. A sidestone rests against the outer face of the northern entrance stone, and if it were standing properly, it would measure about a metre high at its western end before sloping down to ground level towards the east.
The interpretation of this monument proves challenging due to its poor state of preservation. Additional stones scattered across the site include a set stone 1.7 metres east of the sidestone, standing 0.6 metres high, and several partially concealed stones whose original purpose remains unclear. The arrangement suggests connections to both court tombs and portal tombs, two distinct types of Neolithic burial monuments found throughout Ireland. The presence of the tall, longitudinally positioned entrance stones might indicate a portal tomb, yet the possible remains of an extended gallery structure could point towards a court tomb design. Given this ambiguity, archaeologists have wisely chosen to leave the monument unclassified rather than forcing it into a category that might not accurately reflect its original form.
Adding to the site’s mystery, approximately six metres north of the main structure stands a curious arrangement of three low stones, each aligned east to west and standing between 0.45 and 0.7 metres high. These stones lean against each other in a deliberate formation, with the middle stone positioned slightly forward of the other two, though their age and purpose remain unknown. Despite not appearing on any edition of the Ordnance Survey 6-inch maps, this enigmatic monument continues to intrigue researchers studying Ireland’s prehistoric past, serving as a reminder that not all ancient sites fit neatly into our modern archaeological categories.





