Brownshill Dolmen, Dolmen in Urglin, County Carlow, Ireland

Brownshill Dolmen is a portal tomb near Carlow with a granite capstone measuring 4.7 by 6.1 metres and about two metres thick. The capstone rests on two portal stones and a low end stone, with the door stone still in place. A fourth upright stone stands nearby, possibly a remnant of a forecourt.

Brownshill Dolmen was built between 4000 and 3000 BC, though the German source narrows this to 3300–2900 BC. Its granite capstone was likely covered by an earthen mound, and a gate stone blocked the entrance; both portal stones and the gate stone remain in place. The tomb has never been excavated, and a fourth upright nearby may be the remnant of a forecourt.

The tomb is known as Kernanstown Cromlech and takes its name from the Browne family, on whose former estate it stands; it is also called Browneshill Dolmen. The Irish name is Dolmain Chnoc an Bhrúnaigh. A fourth upright stone stands nearby and may be the remains of a forecourt.

The site sits roughly 3 kilometers east of Carlow town along the R726 road and is freely accessible year-round. You can walk right up to the stones to inspect the building techniques and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape.

The dolmen has never been excavated, so its chamber may still hold undisturbed deposits. A fourth upright stone stands free just beyond the tomb and may be the remnant of a forecourt. The tomb is also called Kernanstown Cromlech, after the Browne family estate where it stands.