Legananny Dolmen

Legananny Dolmen is a megalithic portal tomb on the slopes of Slieve Croob, consisting of three tall supporting stones topped by a massive capstone. The structure sits between a stone wall and a rural road, with its open entrance facing outward in the traditional portal grave style.

This portal tomb was built during the Neolithic period around 5000 years ago, when early communities first created permanent burial chambers for their dead. The monument reflects the early megalithic tradition of constructing stone structures as lasting burial places.

The name Legananny comes from Irish 'Liagán Áine', meaning 'Áine's standing stone', reflecting how local communities connected spiritual figures to this place. This naming shows how people saw the monument as a sacred landmark tied to their beliefs and stories.

Access is free and the site is open year-round to visitors, with parking available near the location. The relatively flat ground around the monument makes it easy to walk around and view from different angles.

Excavations beneath the stones uncovered burial urns, revealing that this tomb was actually used to hold cremated remains of the dead. Traces of the original stone cairn that once surrounded the structure remain visible around its base today.

Location: Northern Ireland

Inception: 3000 BCE

Made from material: stone

Address: Dolmen Rd, Castlewellan BT31 9TG, UK

Website: https://communities-ni.gov.uk/heritage-sites/legananny-dolmen

GPS coordinates: 54.32305,-6.02017

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:43