PREHISTORIC · MEGALITHIC TOMB

Court tomb

Newry And Mourne, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 8825
Period
PREHISTORIC
Site type
MEGALITHIC TOMB
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

Court tomb is a Neolithic megalithic monument located in the Newry and Mourne district of Northern Ireland. The monument represents a distinctive form of chambered tomb characteristic of the Irish Neolithic period, dating to approximately 3500–2500 BCE, with court tombs being among the earliest monumental structures in Ireland. These monuments typically feature a rectangular or trapezoidal forecourt area fronting one or more internal burial chambers, and this architectural arrangement reflects the ritual and burial practices of early farming communities in Ulster. The site at this location represents an important example of Neolithic funerary architecture and the settlement patterns of prehistoric Ireland's earliest agricultural populations.

Court tomb is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 8825. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Court tomb?

Court tomb is a Neolithic megalithic monument located in the Newry and Mourne district of Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 8825.

What period does Court tomb date from?

Court tomb dates from the prehistoric 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 Court tomb?

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 8825.

What other scheduled monuments are near Court tomb?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Stone faced rath - one of a pair with 051 (5.8 km), Standing stone (5.9 km), Stone faced rath - one of a pair with 051 (5.9 km).

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