Glendruid Dolmen
Location: Brennanstown, Co. Dublin
Classification: Portal Tomb
SMR Code: DU026-007----
Rating:
The Glendruid Dolmen (also known as the Brennanstown or Cabinteely Dolmen) is located in a beautiful wooded glen beside the Carrickmines River in south Co. Dublin. Built c.3,500BC, it is one of the largest Portal Tombs/Dolmens in the country. The monument is about 11 ft high and consists of a massive wedge-shaped granite capstone that rests on 2 (west facing) entrance/portal stones and 3 side-stones; creating a 3m x 1.5m inner chamber and antechamber with a doorstone and a backstone. The capstone (L 5.1m; Wth 4.5m; D 1.75m) is thought to weigh nearly fifty tons. There are two deep depressions on its upper surface with grooves leading off to the rear corners. It has been suggested that these grooves are an original, man-made, feature.
The early antiquarians of the 18th & 19th centuries often referred to dolmens as 'Druids Altars' (it is probably during this period that 'Glendruid' got its name) and local folklore (also from this period) has it that the grooves on the capstone were there so that the blood from the Druids sacrifices would drain off the 'altar'. The Dolmen actually dates from the mid to early Neolithic and is part of a wider ritual landscape of megalithic monuments in the South Dublin area.
In Ireland, dolmens are also known as 'Leaba Diarmuid agus Gráinne' (Diarmuid and Gráinne's Bed). According to the legend, Diarmuid built one of these 'beds' each night for his lover Gráinne, while the couple were on the run from an ageing Fionn Mac Cumhaill, to whom Gráinne was betrothed.
Description
The Glendruid Dolmen (also known as the Brennanstown or Cabinteely Dolmen) is located in a beautiful wooded glen beside the Carrickmines River in south Co. Dublin. Built c.3,500BC, it is one of the largest Portal Tombs/Dolmens in the country. The monument is about 11 ft high and consists of a massive wedge-shaped granite capstone that rests on 2 (west facing) entrance/portal stones and 3 side-stones; creating a 3m x 1.5m inner chamber and antechamber with a doorstone and a backstone. The capstone (L 5.1m; Wth 4.5m; D 1.75m) is thought to weigh nearly fifty tons. There are two deep depressions on its upper surface with grooves leading off to the rear corners. It has been suggested that these grooves are an original, man-made, feature.
History
The early antiquarians of the 18th & 19th centuries often referred to dolmens as 'Druids Altars' (it is probably during this period that 'Glendruid' got its name) and local folklore (also from this period) has it that the grooves on the capstone were there so that the blood from the Druids sacrifices would drain off the 'altar'. The Dolmen actually dates from the mid to early Neolithic and is part of a wider ritual landscape of megalithic monuments in the South Dublin area.
Folklore
In Ireland, dolmens are also known as 'Leaba Diarmuid agus Gráinne' (Diarmuid and Gráinne's Bed). According to the legend, Diarmuid built one of these 'beds' each night for his lover Gráinne, while the couple were on the run from an ageing Fionn Mac Cumhaill, to whom Gráinne was betrothed.
Accessibility Rating: Moderate
Although this monument is on private property, it is often visited. It can be accessed by crossing a stream from a woodland walkway. There are plans to create better public access.
There are no facilities at this site.
Accessibility
Accessibility Class: Moderate
Although this monument is on private property, it is often visited. It can be accessed by crossing a stream from a woodland walkway. There are plans to create better public access.
Facilities
There are no facilities at this site.
Map
Directions
Weather
Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise: 07:50
Sunset: 18:30
Directions
Weather
Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise: 07:50
Sunset: 18:30
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