County: Donegal Site name: SMINVER (2)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: DG107-118 Licence number: A007/001/04E1162
Author: Fintan Walsh, Irish Archaeological Consultancy
Site type: Megalithic structure
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 587922m, N 860694m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.494553, -8.186431
Monitoring of the proposed N15 Bundora- Ballyshannon bypass (No. 384, Excavations 2004, 04E1162) revealed the presence of a possible megalith within the wayleave. It measured c. 1.5–2m high and roughly occupied an area of 4m2. The 'capstone' measured c. 0.75m by 1m and rested on three stones (orthostats), which protruded from the ground surface. As the immediate area is characterised by rock outcrops, it is possible that the stones on which the capstone rested were elements of rock outcropping.
The arrangement of the stones defined a small 'chamber' within the possible megalith. This was located immediately central to the possible megalith under the 'capstone' and the limits were defined by the 'orthostats' on which the 'capstone' rested. This chamber looked relatively undisturbed and was partially filled on the surface by small rounded stones (c. 0.2–0.3m diameter). The possible chamber measured c. 0.4m in diameter.
An area measuring 5m by 5m around the possible megalith was investigated. The 'capstone' was removed and the interior was excavated. Nothing of archaeological significance was noted within the chamber or in the vicinity of the stones within the excavation area.
8 Dungar Terrace, Dœn Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
