A dolmen, also known as a portal tomb usually consists of two or
more upright stones called Portal Stones supporting a large flat
horizontal Capstone.This construction makes a tripod-shaped structure.
In Ireland Dolmens date from as far back as 4000 BC. Cremated remains
of the dead were placed inside the Dolmens and then covered over with a
mound of small stones. This mound is called a Cairn. In most instances
the Cairn has weathered away, leaving only the tripod stone structure of
the burial mound intact.
Poulnabrone Dolmen Co Clare.
Brownshill
is the largest Dolmen in Ireland. It is estimated that the massive
granite capstone weighs between 100 and 150 tonnes in weight. In size
the dimensions are (4.7 m x 6.1 m x 2 m).
In this video you can get a feel of the size and shape of a Dolmen.
