Dolmen of the Four Maols | |
---|---|
Native name Irish: Dolmain na gCeithre Maol | |
Clogbogle Ballina Portal Tomb Table of the Giants | |
Type | cist |
Location | Primrose Hill, Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland |
Coordinates | 54°06′25″N 9°09′57″W / 54.107036°N 9.165794°W |
Elevation | 19 m (62 ft) |
Height | 1.28 m (4 ft 2 in) |
Built | c. 2000 BC |
Owner | Office of Public Works |
Official name | Ballina Portal Tomb |
Reference no. | 145 |
The Dolmen of the Four Maols is a cist and National Monument located in County Mayo, Ireland.[1][2][3]
The Dolmen of the Four Maols is located on Primrose Hill overlooking the River Moy, southwest of Ballina, outside the Road Safety Authority office.[4]
This cist was erected c. 2000 BC.[5]
According to Irish legend, in the early 7th century Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin was King of Connacht. The rightful king, Cellach of Killala, had become a priest and later bishop of Kilmoremoy (Ballina). Four of Guaire Aidne's brothers murdered him; they are known as the four Maols from the Irish word maol, "bald", referring to their tonsures – they were students of Cellach's (Mael Mac Deoraidh, Maelcroin, Maeldalua, and Maelseanaigh).[6] The four Maols were quartered at Ardnaree and then, supposedly, buried on Primrose Hill under the Dolmen of the Four Maols.[7][8]
The massive capstone rests on three stones forming three sides of the square chamber. A fourth stone (probably the fourth side) lies nearby.[7][9]