Ballinran Court Tomb facts for kids

Ballinran Court Tomb (sometimes known as the Giant's Grave) is situated close to Killowen, County Down, Northern Ireland, on the shore of Carlingford Lough.

Excavations took place in 1976 in advance of a road widening scheme on the site which is some 60m from the lough shore. The excavations revealed a court tomb with a very long gallery (over 12m long) aligned north-south, opening onto an approximately circular forecourt at its north end. No traces survived of the cairn or any kerb or revetment. One of the two portal-stone sockets still contained the fractured stump of the stone which had stood in it. The gallery had been segmented with sills and jambs and was at least 5 or 6 segments long.

No trace of burial deposits was found in situ, although some cremated, presumably human, bone and three primary flint flakes were found. A 'nest' of winkle shells were found placed in a pit as a secondary deposit in the grave.