Brownshill Dolmen (Irish: Dolmain Chnoc an Bhrúnaigh) is a very large megalithic portal tomb situated 3 km east of Carlow, in County Carlow, Ireland. Its capstone weighs an estimated 150 metric tons, and is reputed to be the heaviest in Europe.[2] The tomb is listed as a National Monument.[3] Known as the Kernanstown Cromlech, sometimes spelled as Browneshill Dolmen, it is sited on the former estate house of the Browne family from which it takes its name.[4]
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  Shown within Ireland | |
| Location | Carlow, County Carlow, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 52°50′14″N 6°52′52″W / 52.837337°N 6.881004°W |
| Type | Portal tomb |
| Length | 6.1 m (20 ft) |
| Width | 4.7 m (15 ft) |
| Height | 3.5 m (11 ft) |
| History | |
| Material | Stone |
| Periods | Megalithic |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | Public |
| Official name | Browneshill |
| Reference no. | 613[1] |
It lies just off the R726 road regional road and is clearly visible from the road.
The tomb was built between 4000 and 3000 BC. It is distinguished for the flanking of its burial chamber with two large upright stones (orthostats) supporting the granite capstone (roof) of the chamber. The capstone is thought to have been covered by an earthen mound and a gate stone blocked the entrance.[citation needed] At Brownshill both portal stones and the gate-stone are still in situ; the capstone lies on top of the portals and gate-stone and slopes to the ground away from the entrance.[citation needed]
The dolmen has not been excavated. A nearby fourth upright stone stands close by and might be the remains of a forecourt.
References
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- ^ "National Monuments of County Carlow in State Care" (PDF). heritageireland.ie. National Monument Service. p. 1. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
- ^ Weir, A (1980). Early Ireland. A Field Guide. Belfast: Blackstaff Press. p. 101.
- ^ "National Monuments in County Carlow" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
- ^ "Browneshill Dolmen". Carlow County Museum. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 9 December 2007.
