Cleenrath Portal Tomb

Cleenrath Portal Tomb is located in north Longford outside the village of Aughnacliffe. Portal tombs (also called dolmens) are considered to be one of the earliest forms of megalithic construction, dating from over 5,800 years ago.

Cleenrath Portal Tomb is one of two dolmens in the area, the other being Aughnacliffe Portal Tomb. There are two other portal tombs in County Longford: Birrinagh in Moyne and Melkagh in Drumlish.

Aughnacliffe Portal Tomb is the most accessible of these sites. Cleenrath Portal Tomb is on private land and access is restricted, with no parking provision nearby.

Structure of Cleenrath Portal Tomb

Cleenrath Portal Tomb is formed by a large capstone resting upon four upright stones.

The two stones in the front form a doorway (or 'portal') into the square space inside. This internal space measures 2m long. It is where the remains of high-status individuals within society would have been laid to rest.

Mythological Connection

This portal tomb is also known as ‘Leaba Diarmuid agus Gráinne’, which translates as ‘the bed of Diarmuid and Gráinne’ and relates to the legend of Tóraíocht Dhiarmada agus Gráinne (or 'The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne’).

This legend tells of Gráinne, daughter of Cormac Mac Airt, the High King of Ireland, who was betrothed (or engaged) to Fionn Mac Cumhaill. 

Instead, she fell in love with Diarmuid, one of Finn’s band of warriors known as na Fianna. They ran away together, but the jealous Fionn gave chase.

Their passage around Ireland can be tracked in the placenames and location of their resting places, such as the Cleenrath Portal Tomb.