Haroldstown Dolmen
Title
Haroldstown Dolmen
Subject
Heritage Site
Creator
ActiveMe
Source
Deirdre Burns
Publisher
Wicklow County Council
GPS Location
52.845107, -6.663797
Short Interpretive Text
Haroldstown Dolmen is an impressive portal tomb, located on the banks of the Dereen River, close to the Acaun bridge. Constructed around 2500 BC, legend has it that marks on the capstone were the hand prints of a giant. Local folklore also recounts that the chamber was used as a makeshift family house in the 1840s. Although on private land, it is visible from the roadside.
Interpretive Text
Haroldstown Dolmen is an impressive portal tomb, located on the banks of the Dereen River, close to the Acaun bridge. The monument is located on private land but is visible from the roaside.
Portal tombs were constructed as burial places between 2000 and 3000 BC and were originally covered by a mound, with an entrance or portal retained to allow access to the chamber. At this site there are two substantial overlapping capstones c. 4 m and 3 m long, resting on a large chamber comprised of two well preserved upright, a large doorstone and side stones. The chamber faces north westerly in direction. There appear to be two possible cupmarks on the upper capstone representing early Rock Art or as legend has it, the hand prints of a giant who throw the stone. Local folklore also recounts that the chamber was used as a makeshift dwelling house for a family in the 1840s.
Portal tombs were constructed as burial places between 2000 and 3000 BC and were originally covered by a mound, with an entrance or portal retained to allow access to the chamber. At this site there are two substantial overlapping capstones c. 4 m and 3 m long, resting on a large chamber comprised of two well preserved upright, a large doorstone and side stones. The chamber faces north westerly in direction. There appear to be two possible cupmarks on the upper capstone representing early Rock Art or as legend has it, the hand prints of a giant who throw the stone. Local folklore also recounts that the chamber was used as a makeshift dwelling house for a family in the 1840s.
Cycle Parking
No
Parking Available
Yes
Category of Interest
Archaelogical, Historical
Opening Times
Private Lands
County
Wicklow
Nearest Town
Baltinglass
Geolocation
Social Bookmarking
Collection
Citation
ActiveMe, “Haroldstown Dolmen,” Lakeside Heritage Trail, Blessington Lake, accessed May 21, 2022, https://wicklowheritage.omeka.net/items/show/44.
Comments