Browneshill Dolmen

The Brownes Hill Dolmen is a Neolithic portal tomb dating from c.3300 – 2900 B.C. It is situated on a meadow by the N726 (Hacketstown Road), about 3 km east of Carlow.

It consists of a very large granite capstone weighing about 100 – 150 tonnes. The capstone rests on two portal stones forming a burial chamber, the entrance of which faces the east. The capstone covering the whole structure is the largest to be found in Europe.

In Irish mythology, the Dolmens are frequently called Leaba Diarmaid agus Grainne, which means ‘the bed of Dermot and Grainne’. According to the legend, Dermot erected the constructions for the couple to sleep in while on the run.

To reach it, go along the Pollerton Road until the roundabout and then straight on along the Hacketstown Road. The Dolmen is signposted.

There is a car park by the road as well as a path leading to the Dolmen.