Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeMegalithic tomb - passage tomb
- StatusNational Monument
Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.
Can you visit?
- No source says it is open to the public.Most monuments in Ireland stand on private farmland.
- Ask the landowner before crossing fields, close gates, leave the stones as you find them.Visiting responsibly
History and description
The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Full archaeological record 33 words
The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
References
- This great mound, comparable in original size with those at Newgrange (ME019-045----) and (ME019-030----), is not as well preserved. Much of the material to W was removed at various times in the past and in 1847, when in the course of excavation a large crater was dug into the top of the mound. This monument comprises a kerbed mound, 85m in diam., and 15m in H, covering two passage-tombs opening onto its W side. The N tomb, 12.5m long, is of cruciform shape; an annex of two chambers opens off S recess. A reconstructed stone basin lies in centre of chamber. S tomb is 8.25m long and comprises a short passage leading to a sub-circular chamber with a single recess opening off its SE side. A number of kerb stones and structural stones in both tombs bear megalithic art. (Souterrain (ME020-017001-) built into the mound. (PRIA 1983, 5-190)
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 10 July 2007. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
More megalithic tombs nearby
Dowth Mound
Megalithic tomb - passage tomb · Dowth · Meath · 0.7 km away
National MonumentTownleyhall passage grave
Megalithic tomb - passage tomb · Townleyhall · Louth · 1.9 km away
Visitor site National MonumentNewgrange Passage Tomb
Megalithic tomb - passage tomb · Newgrange · Meath · 1.9 km away
Visitor site National MonumentKnowth Passage Tomb Cemetery
Megalithic tomb - passage tomb · Knowth · Meath · 2.7 km away
Ardmulchan Passage Tomb
Megalithic tomb - passage tomb · Ardmulchan · Meath · 11 km away
National MonumentFourknocks Passage Tomb
Megalithic tomb - passage tomb · Fourknocks · Meath · 14 km away
Visitors' notes
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Around Dowth
Other heritage nearby
- Saint Bernard's WellHoly well · 0.2 km
- Mellifont AbbeyAbbey or friary · 4.4 km
- St. Patrick's Church, DuleekAncient church · 5.8 km
- Duleek Round TowerRound tower · 5.8 km
- St. Mary's Abbey, DuleekAncient church · 5.8 km
- St. Patrick's Church, Hill of SlaneAncient church · 6.3 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 33 megalithic tombsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 16 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 7 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 stone circlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 ogham stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 promontory fortArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 abbey or friaryArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Townley Hall - Glen Wood Nature TrailWalking Trail · 1.6 km · nearest point 2.7 km
- Boyne Valley CaminoWalking Trail · 20.5 km · nearest point 3.3 km
- Townley Hall - Balnumber Wood WalkWalking Trail · 1.2 km · nearest point 3.4 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Townley HallForests · 3.3 km
- LittlewoodForests · 5.3 km
- MorningtonBeaches · 14 km
- Laytown/BettystownBeaches · 14 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
- DroghedaWalled towns · 6.7 km
- Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage SiteUNESCO · 0.9 km
- Collon HouseHistoric stays · 8.6 km
Other attractions nearby
- Knowth Passage TombsMuseums and Attraction · 2.7 km
- Townley Hall WoodsGardens · 3.5 km
- Old Mellifont AbbeyHistoric Houses and Castle · 4.4 km
- Francis Ledwidge MuseumHistoric Houses and Castle · 5.1 km
What's on nearby
- Andy Irvine & Quilty2026-11-06 · 17 km
- Discover the Uilleann Pipes at TSEAC2026-11-07 · 17 km
- Spirits of Meath2026-11-08 · 17 km
Excavations nearby
- 00E0944 Tullyallen 6, County LouthRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 3.6 km
- 01E0907 Sheephouse 1, County MeathRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 3.7 km

