Facilities
- Car park
Brownshill Portal Dolmen is a state-owned National Monument in the care of the Office of Public Works
WARNING: It should be noted that these sites are unguided and a level of care and caution should be maintained during all stages of your visit. The Office Of Public Works (OPW) will not be held responsible for any damages, injuries, or losses that occur
Located just 3km east of Carlow town, the Brownshill Dolmen stands as one of Ireland's most awe-inspiring prehistoric monuments. Classified by archaeologists as a portal tomb, this impressive structure features a massive capstone measuring approximately 4.7m x 6.1m x 2m, resting on two portal stones, a door stone, and a flat slab. The granite capstone is believed to weigh over 100 tonnes, making it reputedly the largest of its kind in Europe. Believed to be between 4,900 and 5,500 years old, the dolmen is a remarkable example of Early Neolithic built heritage.
The Brownshill Dolmen is a site of significant historical and archaeological importance, while its exact purpose remains a mystery, it is widely thought to have served as a ceremonial site for religious rites, possibly including human cremation or burial.
Although the dolmen itself has never been excavated, the significance of the site is highlighted by findings from other similar tombs across Ireland, an example of which is Poulnabrone. Excavations at these sites have revealed a wealth of artefacts, including pottery, flint tools, and personal items such as bone pins and beads, as well as human remains. This evidence suggests complex burial practices and a site of significant importance for those who lived at this time.
The sheer size and construction of the dolmen prompts questions about the ingenuity and capabilities of the people who built it, as well as the social and spiritual structures of their society.
Visit Historic Environment Viewer for more information on Brownshill Portal Dolmen
Protect our Past - Click here to read about the importance of protecting our country’s unique heritage sites
This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014
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