Ballylumford Dolmen

Ballylumford Dolmen

The dolmen in 2007
Ballylumford Dolmen Location in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Location	Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Coordinates	54°50′30″N5°46′26″W / 54.84167°N 5.77389°W / 54.84167; -5.77389
Type	Dolmen
History
Material	Stone
Founded	c. 1800 BC

The Ballylumford Dolmen is a dolmen in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is near the north-west tip of the Islandmagee peninsula by Ballylumford power station. ^[1] Known locally as the "Druid's Altar", it could be 4,000 years old, or the remains of an even earlier passage grave. The dolmen consists of four upright stones, with a heavy capstone and a fallenstone within the structure. This may have been put there to block the entrance to the tomb. The dolmen is in the front garden of a house. ^{[2] [3]} A wall plaque at the site describes the dolmen as a single chambered grave erected around 2000-1600 BC. Local finds indicate occupation of the neighbourhood during the Bronze Age. ^[4]

The dolmen c. 1910

The Ballylumford Dolmen is a portal tomb and a State Care Historic Monument in the townland of Ballylumford, in Larne Borough Council area at grid ref: D4304 0160. ^[5]

See also

• List of archaeological sites in County Antrim

References

1. "Ballylumford - Passage tomb?". Irish Megaliths. Archived from the original on 20 November 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2007.
2. "Ballylumford Dolmen". Discover Northern Ireland. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2007.
3. "County Antrim - Heritage/Historical - Ballylumford Dolmen". County Antrim.com. Archived from the original on 21 November 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2007.
4. "Ballylumford Dolmen". Geograph. Retrieved 5 December 2007.
5. "Ballylumford Dolmen" (PDF). Environment and Heritage Service NI - State Care Historic Monuments. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2007.