Scheduled MonumentsNorthern IrelandDownPortal tomb or cist burial
NEOLITHIC · MEGALITHIC TOMB

Portal tomb or cist burial

Down, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 8123
Period
NEOLITHIC
Site type
MEGALITHIC TOMB
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

Portal tomb or cist burial is a Neolithic megalithic monument located in County Down, Northern Ireland, dating to the fourth millennium before Christ. This structure represents one of the distinctive tomb types of Ireland's Neolithic period, characterised by its portal stone arrangement and chamber design intended for collective burial practices. The monument reflects the architectural traditions and funerary customs of early farming communities who inhabited the island during the Neolithic era, contributing to our understanding of prehistoric settlement patterns and ritual practices in the region.

Portal tomb or cist burial is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 8123. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Portal tomb or cist burial?

Portal tomb or cist burial is a Neolithic megalithic monument located in County Down, Northern Ireland, dating to the fourth millennium before Christ. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 8123.

What period does Portal tomb or cist burial date from?

Portal tomb or cist burial 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 Portal tomb or cist burial?

Portal tomb or cist burial 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 8123.

What other scheduled monuments are near Portal tomb or cist burial?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Tower-house (7.5 km), Corbelled pig crew (8 km), Souterrain (8 km).

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