Creevykeel Court Tomb

Creevykeel Court Tomb

Location: Creevykeel, Co. Sligo

Classification: Court Tomb

SMR Code: SL003-032----

Rating:

This monument is situated at the foothills of Tievebaun Mountain, near the sea at Mullaghmore. It is one of the finest examples in Ireland of what is known as a full-court tomb. Dating from the Neolithic period (c. 4000 - 2500 BC). It consists of a wedge-shaped cairn about 50m long, incorporating at its eastern end an enclosed oval-shaped court. The entrance into the court is at the east and consists of a narrow passageway lined with upright stones. The court is among the largest of its type in Ireland, measuring 15m long by 9m wide. From the court is the entrance to the burial gallery which is divided by upright stones into two chambers and was originally covered by a corballed roof. Behind the gallery are the remains of 3 subsidiary chambers

Description

This monument is situated at the foothills of Tievebaun Mountain, near the sea at Mullaghmore. It is one of the finest examples in Ireland of what is known as a full-court tomb. Dating from the Neolithic period (c. 4000 - 2500 BC). It consists of a wedge-shaped cairn about 50m long, incorporating at its eastern end an enclosed oval-shaped court. The entrance into the court is at the east and consists of a narrow passageway lined with upright stones. The court is among the largest of its type in Ireland, measuring 15m long by 9m wide. From the court is the entrance to the burial gallery which is divided by upright stones into two chambers and was originally covered by a corballed roof. Behind the gallery are the remains of 3 subsidiary chambers

History

Built in the 3rd Millennium BC, this monument was probably extended more than once during its time in use. The original court tomb may have consisted of a semi-circular forecourt leading onto a gallery of two chambers. This was fully enclosed with a passage entrance at a later date, along with extending the cairn itself and adding another gallery. Excavations in 1935 uncovered four cremation burials, Neolithic pottery, polished stone axes, flint knives, flint scrapers and two clay balls. The court was reused in Early Christian times by iron smelters, and the remains of a kiln from this time can be seen.

Gallery

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Accessibility Rating: Easy

The site is approximately 1.6 km north of the village of Cliffoney on the east side of the N15. There is a signpost but it's very easy to miss as it's a fast road. Park in the carpark and the monument is about 20m up the path.

Accessibility

Accessibility Class: Easy

The site is approximately 1.6 km north of the village of Cliffoney on the east side of the N15. There is a signpost but it's very easy to miss as it's a fast road. Park in the carpark and the monument is about 20m up the path.

Facilities

Limited Parking

Map

Directions

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Sunrise/Sunset

Sunrise: 07:50

Sunset: 16:44

Directions

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Sunrise/Sunset

Sunrise: 07:50

Sunset: 16:44

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