Meehambee Dolmen

Meehambee Dolmen
moss covered upright stones support a massive leaning stone roof slab
Location near Drum and Athlone
Region County Roscommon, Ireland
Coordinates 53°24′43″N 8°1′11″W / 53.41194°N 8.01972°W / 53.41194; -8.01972Coordinates: 53°24′43″N 8°1′11″W / 53.41194°N 8.01972°W / 53.41194; -8.01972
Type Dolmen

The Meehambee Dolmen is a megalithic portal tomb dating from about 3500 BC located in County Roscommon, Ireland.

It has been discovered by two local children in the 1960s who have unearthed two stone axes.[1]

Originally supported on 6 upright portals, 2.3 metres high. The capstone is estimated to weigh twenty-four tonnes. The portal stone supporting the back of the capstone has collapsed, allowing the capstone to slide backwards out of position, causing the doorstone to collapse also. The capstone now rests at a 45-degree angle[1]

It is thought that these tombs, of which over 1,200 have been identified in Ireland were either the burial place of a single important king or chieftain or perhaps the tombs of several members of a tribe who inhabited the area in the Neolithic era.

Location

It is located in County Roscommon, a few hundred meters from the M6. It is accessed by a bridle path off a local road from the R362 regional road in the village of Bellanamullia on the western outskirts of Athlone.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Taken from information board onsite.
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