Dolmen of the Four Maols

The Dolmen of the Four Maols is a cist and National Monument located in County Mayo, Ireland.[1][2][3]

Dolmen of the Four Maols
Native name
Irish: Dolmain na gCeithre Maol
Clogbogle
Ballina Portal Tomb
Table of the Giants
Typecist
LocationPrimrose Hill, Ballina,
County Mayo, Ireland
Coordinates54.107036°N 9.165794°W / 54.107036; -9.165794
Elevation19 m (62 ft)
Height1.28 m (4 ft 2 in)
Builtc. 2000 BC
OwnerOffice of Public Works
Official nameBallina Portal Tomb
Reference no.145
Location of Dolmen of the Four Maols in Ireland

Location

The Dolmen of the Four Maols is located on Primrose Hill overlooking the River Moy, southwest of Ballina, outside the Road Safety Authority office.[4]

History

This cist was erected c. 2000 BC.[5]

According to Irish legend, in the early 7th century Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin was King of Connacht. The rightful king, Cellach of Killala, had become a priest and later bishop of Kilmoremoy (Ballina). Four of Guaire Aidne's brothers murdered him; they are known as the four Maols from the Irish word maol, "bald", referring to their tonsures – they were students of Cellach's (Mael Mac Deoraidh, Maelcroin, Maeldalua, and Maelseanaigh).[6] The four Maols were quartered at Ardnaree and then, supposedly, buried on Primrose Hill under the Dolmen of the Four Maols.[7][8]

Description

The massive capstone rests on three stones forming three sides of the square chamber. A fourth stone (probably the fourth side) lies nearby.[7][9]

References
  1. "Dolmen of the Four Maols - Megalithic Tomb - County Mayo".
  2. "The Irish Archaeological Society". 1 January 1844 – via Google Books.
  3. Makem, Tommy (19 August 2014). Tommy Makem's Secret Ireland. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 9781466878303 – via Google Books.
  4. "Stones of Ireland - Dolmen of the Four Maols".
  5. "The Dolmen of the Four Maols Ballina Co. Mayo Ireland".
  6. "Ballina Dolmen (Dolmen of the Four Maols) - Voices from the Dawn".
  7. "Dolmen of the Four Maols, Ballina, Mayo".
  8. "Castlebar - County Mayo - The Dolmen Of The Four Maols".
  9. "megalithomania: Dolmen of the Four Maols (Mayo) :: Kist :: Visit notes".
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