1985:33 - DROMKEEN EAST, Kerry

In July 1985 two lintel graves were discovered while foundations were being dug for a garden wall. Both graves were broken through from on top and the extended skeletons disinterred. A rescue excavation was carried out to expose both graves fully and to excavate the (now disturbed) contents. The eastern grave was the best preserved. Length 1 .74m x width 35cm avg.  x height 30cm (from the bottom of the capstone to tomb floor). It had 1-3 capstones (number unsure due to disturbance), 4-6 uprights on each side and 2 endstones. No grave goods. The western grave was more disturbed - possibly in antiquity. Length 1.75m x width 21cm avg. x 25cm. height . Three capstones remained, covering only the southern half of the grave, and only 10 uprights/endstones remained altogether. No grave goods. Both graves were aligned WNW/ESE. Some bones in a very poor state of preservation remained in the graves, but those originally disinterred by the finder were in fairly good condition. Both tombs had earthen floors. Prior to discovery, there was no indication that the area had been a cemetery, and locals were surprised at the discovery.