Labbacallee Wedge Tomb
Location: Labbacallee, Co. Cork
Classification: Wedge Tomb
SMR Code: CO027-086----
Rating:
Labbacallee is one of the largest wedge tombs in the Country. The tomb is covered by 3 huge capstones, the largest of which is 7.8m long and weighs over 10 tonnes. The double walls of upright stones are also flanked by massive outer walls. The entire tomb was originally covered by a cairn of earth and stones, except for the western end which would have formed the entrance. The interior consists of a long burial chamber and unusually, a second smaller chamber at the eastern end. This chamber is sealed by a massive slab, one corner of which has been chipped away to leave a gap, through which the bones or relics of the dead were interred. The monument stretches for an impressive 14m in length and is aligned with the setting sun on the equinox (22nd March and 24th September) when a beam of light shines into the chamber.
The interior of the chamber was excavated in the 1930s. Both human and animal bone was recovered along with fragments of a decorated pottery vessel. Radiocarbon dating of the human remains indicated that the site had functioned as a burial site from about 2400 BC to around 1750 BC. The earliest identified burial was the headless skeleton of a woman, which was discovered in the small inner chamber whilst her head was found in the larger outer chamber.
Labbacallee translates as 'the hags bed' and local folklore abounds with the deeds of the old hag who is probably a manifestation of the Goddess 'Cailleach Bhéara', who is one of the oldest mythical beings in Ireland and is usually associated with Munster and in particular, Kerry and Cork. One story tells us that the large boulder lying in the nearby river was thrown by the hag at her fleeing husband, the druid Mug Ruith, pinning him to the riverbed.
Description
Labbacallee is one of the largest wedge tombs in the Country. The tomb is covered by 3 huge capstones, the largest of which is 7.8m long and weighs over 10 tonnes. The double walls of upright stones are also flanked by massive outer walls. The entire tomb was originally covered by a cairn of earth and stones, except for the western end which would have formed the entrance. The interior consists of a long burial chamber and unusually, a second smaller chamber at the eastern end. This chamber is sealed by a massive slab, one corner of which has been chipped away to leave a gap, through which the bones or relics of the dead were interred. The monument stretches for an impressive 14m in length and is aligned with the setting sun on the equinox (22nd March and 24th September) when a beam of light shines into the chamber.
History
The interior of the chamber was excavated in the 1930s. Both human and animal bone was recovered along with fragments of a decorated pottery vessel. Radiocarbon dating of the human remains indicated that the site had functioned as a burial site from about 2400 BC to around 1750 BC. The earliest identified burial was the headless skeleton of a woman, which was discovered in the small inner chamber whilst her head was found in the larger outer chamber.
Folklore
Labbacallee translates as 'the hags bed' and local folklore abounds with the deeds of the old hag who is probably a manifestation of the Goddess 'Cailleach Bhéara', who is one of the oldest mythical beings in Ireland and is usually associated with Munster and in particular, Kerry and Cork. One story tells us that the large boulder lying in the nearby river was thrown by the hag at her fleeing husband, the druid Mug Ruith, pinning him to the riverbed.
Gallery
Accessibility Rating: Easy
There are no facilities at this monument
Accessibility
Accessibility Class: Easy
Facilities
There are no facilities at this monument
Map
Directions
Could not resolve host: metwdb-openaccess.ichec.ie
Weather
Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise: 08:23
Sunset: 16:23
Directions
Could not resolve host: metwdb-openaccess.ichec.ie
Weather
Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise: 08:23
Sunset: 16:23
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