Proleek Dolmen Explained

Proleek Dolmen
Native Name:Dolmain Phroilíg
Native Language:ga
Other Name:The Giant's Load
Proleek Cromlech
Coordinates:54.0372°N -6.3483°W
Location:Proleek, Ravensdale,
County Louth, Ireland
Area:Cooley Peninsula
Built:c. 3000 BC
Elevation:21m (69feet)
Type:dolmen
Height:4m (13feet)
Designation1:National Monument of Ireland
Designation1 Offname:Proleek
Designation1 Number:476

Proleek Dolmen is a dolmen (portal tomb) and National Monument located in County Louth, Ireland.[1]

Location

Proleek Dolmen is 4.3km (02.7miles) northeast of Dundalk, on the west bank of the Ballymascanlan River.[2] [3]

History

The dolmen dates to the Neolithic, around 3000 BC. It was used for interments in which the cremated remains were placed in the tomb, often accompanied by grave goods, including tools, beads and pottery. The tomb may be aligned so that its portal points toward Slieve Gullion and/or the setting sun at the summer solstice.

Local legend claims that the dolmen was carried here by the Scottish giant Para Buidhe Mór Mhac Seoidin (or Parrah Boug MacShagean; "Great Yellow Para, son of Seoidín"). Para challenged Fionn mac Cumhaill to combat, but Fionn poisoned the nearby river and Para drank from it. The Scottish giant was buried at the wedge tomb nearby.

Another local tradition claims that if a visitor lands three stones atop the dolmen, they will be granted a wish, or will be married within the year.[4]

Description

Proleek dolmen is composed of two portal stones, a lower backstone and a massive capstone, which weighs about 40 tonnes.[5] The portal faces northwest.

90 metres (100 yd) to the SE is a Wedge-shaped gallery grave ("Giant's Grave") with a 6.7m (22feet) gallery.[6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dundalk and North Louth: Paintings and Stories from Cuchulainn's Country. Harold. O'Sullivan. 1 January 1997. Dundurn. Google Books.
  2. Book: Ireland Through the Ages. registration. proleek.. 1 January 1992. M. Joseph. Internet Archive.
  3. Web site: Ireland Guide. Dan. McQuillan. 1 September 2000. Open Road Publishing. Google Books.
  4. Web site: Howard . 2010-12-14 . Proleek Dolmen . 2022-08-15 . Voices from the Dawn . en-US.
  5. Web site: Howard . 2010-12-14 . Proleek Dolmen . 2022-08-15 . Voices from the Dawn . en-US.
  6. Web site: Saints and Stones: Proleek Dolmen.
  7. Web site: Proleek Dolmen. Ballymascanlon. co.Louth c.4000 > 3000 b.c.
  8. Web site: Proleek. Frank. Schorr.
  9. Web site: Proleek Dolmen, Louth, Ireland. Ed Hannon-Visions of the. Past. 11 April 2015.
  10. Web site: Proleek Dolmen and gallery grave, Co. Louth.
  11. Web site: Proleek Dolmen - Attractions - Museums and Attractions - All Ireland - Republic of Ireland - Louth - Dundalk - Discover Ireland.
  12. Web site: Proleek.