Ballinastack Megalithic Tomb and Children's Burial Ground

 

Eugene Morgan, landowner, Tom Joe Mannion and Mike Garvey, GBHP

B. Doherty 2020

 

Looking East showing Ballinastack Megalithic Monument

B. Doherty 2020

 

Children's Burial Ground at Ballinastack

B. Doherty 2020

Site Location

Glenamaddy Boyounagh Heritage Project and landowner Eugene Morgan initiated clean -up works at Ballinastack Megalithic Monument and Children’s Burial Ground. With permission from The National Monuments Service, and grant aided by the Government’s July Jobs Stimulus Package, Community Monuments Funding was awarded by the National Monuments Service,  Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The funding was administered by Galway County Council on the Minister’s behalf.

Preservation and Promotion

Clearance of overgrowth shall enable the safe access to the site.  The careful removal of trees and treatment to inhibit regrowth shall ensure the continued preservation of this important site.

Megalithic Tomb

Recorded Monument GA006:005001 (Megalithic tomb) at Ballinastack comprises of orthostats with a roof stone slanting towards the north. It appears to be a collapsed portal tomb, or dolmen. It is known locally as Clogh Diarmuid, referring to the infamous Diarmuid and Grainne. The large capstone is reputed to having the handprint of the giant which threw it here.

Children’s Burial Ground

The surrounding children’s burial ground, Recorded Monument GA006:005002 was quite overgrown. Limestone grave-markers are evident within the ground, aligned east west in rows. The last burial to take place here was in 1964.

Glanfest

Glenamaddy Boyounagh Heritage Project presented an on-line Virtual Event to highlight the heritage sites in the area. Galway Community Archaeologist, B. Doherty prepared a number of short films and Ballinastack Megalithic Monument was featured.This  highlights the  significance of the site within the community and makes it accessible for all.

Digital Heritage Age

Photogrammetery was carried out at the site by Gary Dempsey, Digital Heritage Age and shall be available to view on-line in the coming days. This is 3D imagery, and an innovative way of recording our archaeological sites.