In 2008, Archaeologist Faith Bailey identified four possible boulder burial stones were identified on a north-facing slope in Kintogher townland, at the far end of the Branley’s Yard Nature Trail. Possibly dating to the middle to late Bronze Age, boulder burials consist of megalithic size stones set on top of three or four smaller supporting stone and three of the four boulder burials found here are of this nature. Two large standing stones were also identified in this area, the largest approximately 2.2m in height, the smaller 1.2m. Such burial sites are rare in this region and little is known about this particular site, which faces Benbulben mountain on land that, prior to land drainage and reclamation, would originally have formed part of the Drumcliffe Estuary shoreline.
Similar Posts
St. Columba’s (Drumcliffe) Church
Built in 1809, St. Columba’s Church stands on the site of the monastery founded in 575CE reputedly by St. Colmcille (Columba) in atonement for the Battle of the Books which occurred nearby at Cooldrumman (Cúl Dreimhne) in 560CE. Few traces remain of the monastery, which existed until the end of the 16th century, except for…
Drumcliffe High Cross
In ancient times, Drumcliffe was referred to as Druim Cliabh na gcros, or Drumcliff of the crosses, due to the number of high crosses found there. While most were probably made of wood, at least some were stone and one of these remains fully intact at Drumcliffe. The standing undecorated shaft of another high cross…
Drumcliffe Monastery
Drumcliffe is best known as the location of a monastery founded by St Columba, or Colmcille(meaning ‘dove of the church) in or about 575AD. It was built close to Culdreimhne (Cooldrumman), just north of Drumcliffe on the slopes of Benbulben, where the ‘Battle of the Books’ was fought.The Battle of the Books by Annie West, North Sligo’s Illustrator in Residence This…
Rathcormac Japanese Knotweed Project 2012 onwards
A 2009 County Council-commissioned survey of Rathcormac identified four instances of Japanese Knotweed in the village area and further survey work by Tidy Towns volunteers identified seven additional sites in the immediate area. In response, the Tidy Towns Committee, with Sligo Heritage Office support, commenced a spraying programme to eradicate the plant from the village…
Holy Well, Doonerin
One of several holy wells once found in the locality, the well at Doonerin is unique in that is located on the seabed of Drumcliffe Bay and visible and accessible only at low tide. It is traditionally visited by the faithful on the 9th of June, St Columcille’s feast day, when its waters are taken…
Constance Markievicz Statue
Located in Rathcormac park is a statue of Countess Constance Markievicz (1868-1927), Irish nationalist, suffragette, politician, and champion of the poor. Born Constance Gore-Booth, the daughter of local land owner Sir Henry Gore-Booth, she spent her childhood living in nearby Lissadell House, before moving to London and later Paris to study art and where she met her…