Dolmens are megalithic monuments found dotted around the Irish landscape. Standing for millennia, they perch majestically on grassy hillsides, on craggy cliffs, on winding roadsides, and even right between modern day homes.
I think of dolmens as symbols of Ireland. When I was a little girl we would always be on the lookout for dolmens when driving around the Irish countryside.
Now, dolmens are not unique to the Emerald Isle, but are found throughout the British Isles and other parts of Europe and Asia.
Ireland is home to over 150 of these ancient portal tombs, and so I think it is fair to consider these historic monuments as symbols of our ancient past.
And so today, I hope you’ll join me as we take a little tour of Ireland’s wondrous dolmens, both great and small.
Dolmens are single-chamber megalithic tombs. Vertical stones usually support a massive flat capstone making the structure resemble a table.
When first built dolmens were typically covered with earth or smaller stones to form a tumulus. Over the centuries these earthen coverings have weathered away, revealing their spectacular stone “skeletons.”
The term dolmen means stone table. The word dolmen is derived from two Breton words, with “dual” meaning table, and “maen” meaning stone.
The most amazing thing about some of these dolmens is their massive capstones.
At a time when there was no power assisted hoist or crane, our ancestors figured out how to raise, prop, position and balance these gigantic table tops upon three or four supporting stones.
Brownshill, the largest dolmen in Ireland and Europe is found in County Carlow. That massive capstone weighs over 150 tons, which is a staggering 330,693 pounds.
Our Celtic forefathers were no weaklings, that’s for sure
Whenever I lay eyes on a dolmen I can’t help but ask the inevitable question – how on earth did early Irish men and women, manipulate these gargantuan stones into place?
And the truth is, nobody truly knows how they did it.
Legend claims it was early Irish giants who tossed these monuments together using their mythical strength and prowess to mark the landscape with these enduring memorials.
A troupe of mere mortals surrounding these stones could never generate enough manpower to heave and hoist these megaliths into position.
And so it’s safe to say, some form of ancient engineering marvel was utilized by our ancestors, to create these rocky shrines.
For me, dolmens are lasting proof of the genius of our forebears, testament to their skill and determination to mark the landscape of their homeland.
Dolmens date from between 4,000 BC to 2,000 BC and tend to have a large concentration along Ireland’s coastline, especially in the east.
Ancient remains have been found near some of these monuments, and so it is thought they may have been used to commemorate the dead. Or perhaps they were places for holding ceremonies and celebrations.
Poulnabrone Dolmen in County Clare is the oldest known dolmen in Ireland. When excavated the remains of 22 people from the Neolithic Age were found. Their burial site beneath the monument included personal items like pottery and stone axes.
The dolmen pictured above is found on the Mizen Peninsula in County Cork, a few miles west of the town of Schull. It’s called the Altar Wedge tomb. Perhaps it was used by the druids as an altar, but the Irish used it as an altar far more recently.
At the time of the Penal Laws in Ireland (17th century), when attending Mass was illegal, this dolmen in Cork was used as an altar by a priest-in-hiding, who would gather his flock to covertly say Mass. Locals would surround the area with lookouts for English soldiers, as the Irish prayed.
With more than 100 dolmens scattered throughout Ireland, we know for certain our forebears attributed some special significance to building these monuments.
They built these structures to last, and they have stood the tests of time. Some are over 5000 years old and are found in various states of repair and disrepair throughout Ireland.
Some are covered in vegetation.
Some simply stand sentinel by the roadside.
Some give historical interest to a garden landscape.
Some lie hidden amongst the trees and bushes.
And some, simply take your breath away, perched amidst the spectacular scenery of the Emerald Isle.
And so if you take a trip to Ireland, and love to discover a little bit of history, do visit a dolmen on your travels.
Who knows? The site of one of these dolmens may turn out to be your Irish thin place.
Happy travels.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Irish American Mom
This dolmen series is just so very lovely. They are strange and amazing relics of ancient times, and I am always drawn to them in Ireland. When I walked out through the golf course early one June morning to see the Proleek Dolmen in Co Louth, a local told me about the small pebbles on the capstone. He said if you want to be married, toss a pebble up and if it stays and doesn’t roll off the capstone, you’ll be married within the year. Yes, I was sorely tempted…
Hi Sara – I love your photo of the Proleek Dolmen. Isn’t it wonderful to talk to locals when traveling in Ireland? That’s how to find out all important gems of information that help make a place come to life. I had never before heard about the reason for all those pebbles on the Proleek Dolmen, but for anyone wishing to be married it may be the perfect spot to visit. Many thanks for checking out this post.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
P.S. I checked out your lovely photos on Flickr. Your photography is truly evidence of your love of Ireland. You capture the spirit of the people, the landscape and the animals in your work. I’ll be sure to follow you on Flickr.
Wow what an education I get from your postings never knew about doman’s seems like all the ancients were practicing up for Stonehenge
Hi Bat – I’m so glad my post was able to introduce you to Ireland’s dolmens. They truly are amazing structures.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
This is fascinating Mairead! Thank you so much for posting it!
Hi Maury – I’m glad you enjoyed this little look at ancient Irish history.
All the best,
Mairéad
SO interesting!! I would LOVE to visit Ireland one day and see one of these magnificent Dolmens!
Hi Marlene – I do hope you make it to Ireland someday and will be able to visit one of Ireland’s amazing dolmens. When I stand by one of these magnificent ancient structures the engineering prowess of our ancestors takes my breath away.
Many thanks for checking out this post,
Mairéad
I should at to my previous comment.
I got caught up in my fasination of places having a profound effect on our souls! I’ve not been to Ireland yet but my husband and I want to visit someday and believe we will both feel we’ve arrived home after being away for eons! I love your blog and wonder how I just discovered it today while searching for references to irish stubbornness!😅 I t will be one of my favorites! Thank you!
Hi Terri – I’m delighted you found my little corner of the world wide web where we discuss all things Irish and Irish American. I hope you do make it to Ireland someday. The scenery is magnificent, but despite the many millions of tourists who visit Ireland every year, you can still get away from it all and find the most fantastic, mystical spots to refresh the soul.
I laughed when I read that it was through a search for references for Irish stubbornness that you found my site. I think that could be a topic for a whole new blog post.
All the best, and thanks for stopping by.
Mairéad
Love all your pictures, Mairead! The ingenuity required to accomplish the “building” of these evidences of the ancient times was obviously in place even though we just can’t be sure how it was done. Humbles us, to be sure. Take Newgrange, for instance, it is just one big mysterious wow! I like to imagine, though, that our capabilities are just re-memberings of our initial “completeness” when God allowed the first man and woman to exist…so perhaps we are the ones who are more backward than our ancients were…:)
Thank you as always, for your presentation of another facet of Irishness! And God bless you, Mairead!
Hi Irishnannie – I love your explanation of our ancient ancestor’s genius. Perhaps they were more “complete” and accomplished in their closeness to God.
Thanks for checking out this little rambling about Irish history.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Hello from Ireland, Mairéad. I hope you are well. I’ve been working all morning on film scans of Poulnabrone Dolmen and was getting some background info when I came on your blog and this interesting page about Irish dolmens. It’s an engaging site you’ve got going here, sharing your interest in all things Irish.
I’m fortunate to live in Ireland – in the North – and have travelled the length and breadth of it extensively over the years, always with a camera handy. All being well I’ve plenty more exploring to do.
I’m not a mom! But I hope it’s ok to leave this comment. Look after yourself, and I hope you and your family get to visit soon.
Hi Sam – I’m delighted you found my blog as you researched Irish dolmens. The Polnabrone Dolmen is a magnificent subject for a photo session – I hope you captured many wonderful shots. I checked out your photos and they are amazing. If you would ever like to share your website and work with my readers through a guest post just let me know. You can reach me at [email protected]
All the best, and thanks for stopping by.
Mairéad