This is one of the largest wedge tombs there is and it is absolutely huge! The front chamber is covered by just 2 stones, the largest of which is nearly 8m in length and must weigh 10 tons. The smaller one is cracked and supported by a brick column. To the rear of this is a smaller chamber, separated from it by a slab from which one corner has been trimmed, which is covered by a single slab.
The rear wall of the smaller chamber has buttresses set at right angles to it giving it a very arty design look.
To the front, separated from the main chamber by a large slab, is the remains of a very large portico that I could have probably stood up in.
You can still see remnants of the U-shaped cairn kerb around it. Weir has compared it to the French gallery graves.
The name of the tomb derives from 'Leaba Caillighe' - the Hag's Bed.
I was still thinking about this tomb for several hours after I moved on. It is a monster and made me feel like I was on the set of the Incredible Shrinking Man or something.
A real must see site.
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_All Sites Visited On 23rd June 2002 « Previous Site Next Site »
When you're passing near to Ireland's largest wedge tomb you can't help but stop off, even when you've already seen it. Not too bad a spot to have something to eat (as long as you take your rubbish away with you!).
It's odd but I wasn't as impressed with it as the first time I saw it. Perhaps this is because I've already seen it or perhaps it's because the weather was so dull. The stones looked lifeless and fossil-like today, the last time they looked 'happier' somehow - it must have been the weather.
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_All Sites Visited On 12th April 2003 « Previous Site Next Site »
Back again? Oh yes! I think the enormity of this tomb is worth the 20 minute detour if you're in or around Fermoy. The main purpose of this stop was to see if I could photograph the whole of the front of the tomb, without the fence being in the way, with my newly acquired wide-angle lens. Yes I could! Superb.
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_You have to love this place. It's so close to the road that visiting it is so easy. I just wish they'd put a decent gate into the compound so that less able people could get up close!
While we were there we there a woman brought her two sons to see the tomb. Start 'em young! That's the way to help preserve our heritage for the future.
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_| Marianne from Clare |  |
| Uwe H. from Leinfelden-Echterdingen (Germany) | |
| Philip Powell from Athy | |
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_A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments
 Castlehill 1 (Co. Mayo) |  Toormore (Co. Cork) |  Slievenaglasha (Co. Clare) |
 Ballynahown (Co. Cork) |  Leana (Co. Clare) |  Ballyedmonduff (Co. Dublin) |
