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 Dolmain na gCeithre Maol (Irish) | |
| Clogbogle Ballina Portal Tomb Table of the Giants | |
 | |
| Type | cist |
| Location | Primrose Hill, Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 54°06′25″N 9°09′57″W / 54.107036°N 9.165794°W |
| Elevation | 19 m (62 ft) |
| Height | 1.28 m (4 ft 2 in) |
| Built | c. 2000 BC |
| Owner | Office of Public Works |
| Official name | Ballina Portal Tomb |
| Reference no. | 145 |
  Location of Dolmen of the Four Maols in Ireland | |
Location
editThe 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
editThis 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
editThe 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
edit- ^ "Dolmen of the Four Maols - Megalithic Tomb - County Mayo".
- ^ "The Irish Archaeological Society". 1 January 1844 – via Google Books.
- ^ Makem, Tommy (19 August 2014). Tommy Makem's Secret Ireland. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 9781466878303 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Stones of Ireland - Dolmen of the Four Maols".
- ^ "The Dolmen of the Four Maols Ballina Co. Mayo Ireland".
- ^ "Ballina Dolmen (Dolmen of the Four Maols) - Voices from the Dawn".
- ^ a b "Dolmen of the Four Maols, Ballina, Mayo".
- ^ "Castlebar - County Mayo - The Dolmen Of The Four Maols".
- ^ "megalithomania: Dolmen of the Four Maols (Mayo) :: Kist :: Visit notes".