Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB16/13/015

Address :
Court Tomb Ballymacdermot Newry Co Down

Townland:
Ballymacdermot

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Survey 2:
Record Only

Date of Listing:

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Archaeological Site

Former Use
Archaeological Site

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
No

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
Yes

Derelict:
No

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OS Map No:
266/10

IG Ref:
J0655 2402

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Owner Category

Central Govt

Exterior Description And Setting

Prominently sited on a SE-facing slope of Balymacdermot Mountain on E side of road. The cairn comprises a trapezoidal rubble fieldstone platform aligned with the slope and now grassed over. At its NW end is an open area defined by a half-circle of quarried upright granite slabs. The focus of this 'court' is a stone-lined chamber set into the middle of the cairn and aligned with its axis. The passage is subdivided into three small chambers by means of granite slabs. There are also traces of the granite lintels which formerly covered them. Originally the cairn would have been higher, covering all but the court area at the front.

Architects

Not Known

Historical Information

Of Neolithic date (c.5000-2500 BC). Primary Sources: 1. Site & Monuments Record - Arm 26:15

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

Not listed

Historic Interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A classic example of a Neolithic court tomb (also called a horned cairn) in a prominent situation

General Comments

Date of Survey

05 June 2000