| Dolmen of the Four Maols | |
| Native Name: | Dolmain na gCeithre Maol |
| Native Language: | ga |
| Other Name: | Clogbogle Ballina Portal Tomb Table of the Giants |
| Coordinates: | 54.107°N -9.1658°W |
| Location: | Primrose Hill, Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland |
| Built: | c. 2000 BC |
| Elevation: | 19m (62feet) |
| Owner: | Office of Public Works |
| Type: | cist |
| Height: | 1.28m (04.2feet) |
| Designation1: | National Monument of Ireland |
| Designation1 Offname: | Ballina Portal Tomb |
| Designation1 Number: | 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]