Cleenrath Portal Tomb (Dolmen)

Cleenrath Portal Tomb is located in north Longford outside the village of Aughnacliffe, this is one of two portal tombs (also called dolmens) in the area. Portal tombs are considered to be one of the earliest forms of megalithic construction, dating from over 5800 years ago.

The 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 which measures approximately 2 metres in length and where the remains of high-status individuals within society would have been laid to rest.

This portal tomb is known as ‘Leaba Diarmuid agus Gráinne’, which translates as ‘the bed of Diarmuid and Gráinne’, relating to the ancient Irish legends of Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool). The legend of Tóraíocht Dhiarmada agus Gráinne (‘The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne’), tells of Gráinne who was the daughter of Cormac Mac Airt, the high king of Ireland, and was bethrothed to Fionn.

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.

The portal tomb is on private lands and access is restricted, with no parking provision nearby.

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