Proleek Dolmen

Proleek Dolmen is a dolmen (portal tomb) and National Monument located in County Louth, Ireland.

Location
Proleek Dolmen is 4.3 km northeast of Dundalk, on the west bank of the Ballymascanlan River.

History


The dolmen dates to the Neolithic, around 3000 BC. It was used for interments in which the cremated remains were placed in the tomb, often accompanied by grave goods, including tools, beads and pottery. The tomb may be aligned so that its portal points toward Slieve Gullion and/or the setting sun at the summer solstice.

Local legend claims that the dolmen was carried here by the Scottish giant Para Buidhe Mór Mhac Seoidin (or Parrah Boug MacShagean; "Great Yellow Para, son of Seoidín"). Para challenged Fionn mac Cumhaill to combat, but Fionn poisoned the nearby river and Para drank from it. The Scottish giant was buried at the wedge tomb nearby.

Another local tradition claims that if a visitor lands three stones atop the dolmen, they will be granted a wish, or will be married within the year.

Description
Proleek dolmen is composed of two portal stones, a lower backstone and a massive capstone, which weighs about 40 tonnes. The portal faces northwest.

90 metres (100 yd) to the SE is a Wedge-shaped gallery grave ("Giant's Grave") with a 6.7 m gallery.