Cloghanmore Tomb, Court tomb in Glencolumbkille, Ireland.
Cloghanmore is a double trapezoid court tomb oriented east to west, with its main entrance at the eastern end. Twin parallel galleries flank the entrance, and two western galleries are each divided into two chambers by jamb stones bearing carved ornament; one is topped by a large capstone. The court measures roughly 36 by 46 ft, with a single chamber on each side, each having a decorated orthostat right of its entrance.
Cloghanmore is a court tomb built in the prehistoric megalithic tradition of the region. The structure was unearthed from peat in the 19th century, which exposed the double trapezoid layout and the twin galleries. No later rebuilding of the walls is recorded; the monument has stood in its excavated form since then.
The name Cloghanmore translates as "the great stone heap". Visitors can see carved ornament on the jamb stones dividing the western galleries, and a decorated orthostat stands on the right side of each chamber entrance. At midday on the winter solstice the sun runs along a ridge of the mountain to the south and shines directly into the second chamber.
The site sits on level ground near the coast and is accessible on foot though paths cross damp and uneven grassland. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and bring weather-resistant clothing as the area experiences frequent wind and rain.
A large stone stands in the middle of the court and partly blocks the view of the gallery entrance. The court is bounded partly by standing stones and partly by dry-stone walls, showing an intermediate stage between an inner and an outer court.
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