Scheduled MonumentsNorthern IrelandDownBallyalton court cairn. court tomb
NEOLITHIC · MEGALITHIC TOMB

Ballyalton court cairn. court tomb

Down, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 8114
Period
NEOLITHIC
Site type
MEGALITHIC TOMB
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR)

Overview

History & significance

Ballyalton court cairn is a Neolithic megalithic monument located in County Down, Northern Ireland, dating to the fourth millennium before the present. The site represents a court tomb, a distinctive form of passage grave characteristic of the Irish Neolithic, featuring a forecourt area adjacent to the burial chamber. The monument comprises stone cairning and orthostatic construction typical of its type, serving as a communal burial site for Neolithic populations in the region. Court tombs of this class are among the earliest monumental architecture in Ireland and provide important evidence for the settlement patterns and mortuary practices of early farming communities.

Ballyalton court cairn. court tomb is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 8114. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Ballyalton court cairn. court tomb?

Ballyalton court cairn is a Neolithic megalithic monument located in County Down, Northern Ireland, dating to the fourth millennium before the present. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 8114.

What period does Ballyalton court cairn. court tomb date from?

Ballyalton court cairn. court tomb dates from the neolithic period, and is classified as a megalithic tomb. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Ballyalton court cairn. court tomb?

Ballyalton court cairn. court tomb is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Ni. The official designation reference is 8114.

What other scheduled monuments are near Ballyalton court cairn. court tomb?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Souterrain (7.4 km), Corbelled pig crew (7.5 km), Newark & horn castle, adrglass castle. tower-house, merchants stores & c18th castle (8.3 km).

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