Part 2: Chapter 14: Kilmurry Parish: Drumullan Townland

Description of site:
Here we have the site of a feature which is marked on the relevant 6” O.S. Sheet as “Dermot and Grania’s Bed” – a nineteenth century term commonly used for Megalithic Tombs.

This site was visited by Westropp, Borlase (perhaps) also De Valera and O’Nuallain. The earliest written reference to the site dates to 1902 and was written by Westropp. On examination he felt that what we have here is unlikely to be a dolmen (i.e. megalithic tomb) rather it is probably a split rock. (pages 103 & 104).

Borlase simply makes a reference to the site’s existence. He does not mention its features and whether it is a megalithic tomb or not.

De Valera and O’Nuallain give (page 96) some information on this site. Their conclusion, based on field work is: “The whole (feature) could be interpreted as the remains of a very roughly built megalithic tomb but Westropp’s suggestion that the blocks may be a split rock is preferable”.

I here include a plan of the site. Information relating to the sizes (i.e. height, width, length) of the various stones involved is given underneath:-

Stone A: Described by De Valera and O’Nuallain (1961, page 96) as being a: “Rough slab, set on edge and aligned roughly north and south. It is 3.20 metres long, .80 metres thick, 1.30 metres high at the north and .30 metres high at the south. The top edge slopes unevenly from north to south. Several heavy slabs lie prostrate at either side”.

Stone B: This has an average height of .70 metres. It has a maximum length of 1.75 metres and a maximum width of .75 metres.

Stone C: The average height in the case of this stone is only .43 metres. It has a maximum length of .75 metres and a maximum width of .55 metres.

Stone D: The height of this stone varies. The most northerly point is 1.20 metres high. The centre of the west face is 1.10 metres high while the southern area is only .70 metres high. (note arrow above representing slope). The maximum width of the stone is 1.30 metres. It has a maximum length of 1.75 metres.

Stone E: This stone slopes from north to south. At the northern end it is .70 metres high but only some .10 metres high at the southern tip. It has an average length of 1.50 metres and a width of .75 metres (centre, average).

Stone F: Only a small part of this stone can be seen due to the heavy nature of the vegetation cover. Like all other stones it is limestone in type.

Drumullan A: Photograph of “wedge”, from north to south

Drumullan A: Photograph of “wedge”, from south to north