Dooey's Cairn, Neolithic court tomb near Dunloy, Northern Ireland.
Dooey's Cairn is a megalithic court tomb near Dunloy in Northern Ireland. The structure features a U-shaped forecourt lined with eleven upright stone slabs that lead to a small burial chamber open to the sky.
This burial chamber dates from between 4000 and 2000 BC and represents one of the region's earliest grave monuments. Excavations conducted in 1935 and 1975 uncovered artifacts that revealed how people lived and buried their dead during the Neolithic period.
The name comes from the Dooey family who owned the land for generations before eventually transferring it to public care. Walking around the forecourt today, you can sense how this place served as a gathering point for the community to honor their dead.
The site sits in open countryside and remains accessible year-round, allowing you to visit depending on weather conditions. The ground is relatively flat and straightforward to walk around, though sturdy shoes are advisable due to natural terrain.
This grave monument contains the only cremation passage ever found in Irish court tombs. The three pits discovered here held the remains of multiple individuals, suggesting complex burial rituals unique to this place.
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