Brownshill dolmen

Brownshill Dolmen (Dolmain Chnoc an Bhrúnaigh in Irish) is a very large megalithic portal tomb situated 3 km east of Carlow, in County Carlow, Ireland. Its capstone weighs an estimated 100 metric tons, and is reputed to be the heaviest in Europe.[1] The tomb is listed as a National Monument.[2] Known as the Kernanstown Cromlech, sometimes spelled as Browneshill Dolmen, it is sited on the former estate house of the Browne family from which it takes its name.[3] The tomb was built between 4000 and 3000 BC. It is distinguished for the flanking of its burial chamber with two large upright stones (orthostats) supporting the granite capstone (roof) of the chamber. The capstone is thought to have been covered by an earthen mound and a gate stone blocked the entrance. At Brownshill both portal stones and the gate-stone are still in situ; the capstone lies on top of the portals and gate-stone and slopes to the ground away from the entrance.

Brownshill Dolmen
Dolmain Chnoc an Bhrúnaigh
LocationCarlow, County Carlow, Ireland
TypePortal tomb
Length6.1 m (20 ft)
Width4.7 m (15 ft)
Height3.5 m (11 ft)
History
MaterialStone
PeriodsMegalithic
Site notes
OwnershipPublic
Reference no.613

The dolmen has not been excavated. A nearby fourth upright stone stands close by and might be the remains of a forecourt.

Gate-stone flanked by the two portal stones supporting the capstone

References
  1. Weir, A (1980). Early Ireland. A Field Guide. Belfast: Blackstaff Press. p. 101.
  2. "National Monuments in County Carlow" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  3. "Browneshill Dolmen". Carlow County Museum. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 9 December 2007.

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