Ballylumford Dolmen, Portal tomb in Islandmagee, Northern Ireland.
Ballylumford Dolmen is a prehistoric burial chamber consisting of four upright stones supporting a large capstone, with a fallen stone visible inside the central chamber. The monument sits in the front garden of a private house near Ballylumford Road on Islandmagee.
This burial monument was built roughly 4000 years ago during the Stone Age to serve as a grave for early inhabitants of the area. Archaeological remains found at the site provide evidence of the communities that lived here in ancient times.
Local people refer to this structure as the Druid's Altar, a name that connects the monument to ancient Celtic spiritual beliefs in regional memory. This traditional naming shows how communities shape stories around what they find on their land.
The monument is located in the front garden of a private residence, so you will need to ask the property owners for permission to visit. It is best to arrange this beforehand rather than arriving unannounced at the house.
The stone monument stands right next to a house built in the 1800s, creating a striking contrast between thousands of years of history and modern habitation. This unusual proximity shows how ancient and recent structures share the same space.
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