NEOLITHIC · MEGALITHIC TOMB

Dual court tomb

Ballymena, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 2618
Period
NEOLITHIC
Site type
MEGALITHIC TOMB
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

Dual court tomb is a Neolithic megalithic monument located in the Ballymena area of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. This monument type dates to the Neolithic period, typically between approximately 4000 and 3000 BCE, and represents an important category of communal burial architecture found across the Irish island. Court tombs are characterised by their distinctive design featuring an open forecourt or court area positioned before the burial chamber, a layout that facilitated ritual activities and communal gatherings alongside their primary funerary function. The dual designation of this example indicates the presence of two court structures, a feature that distinguishes it within the broader court tomb tradition and reflects the complex social and ceremonial practices of Neolithic communities in Ulster.

Dual court tomb is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 2618. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Dual court tomb?

Dual court tomb is a Neolithic megalithic monument located in the Ballymena area of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 2618.

What period does Dual court tomb date from?

Dual 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 Dual court tomb?

Dual 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 2618.

What other scheduled monuments are near Dual court tomb?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Rath and souterrain (2.6 km), Counterscarp rath and souterrain (4.1 km), Kells abbey, de diserto forte conneri, deserto corie, templemoyle, desert of connor, abbey of kellis, ecclesia beatae mariae de desarto. augustinian abbey (4.7 km).

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