Duffcastle
Portal Tomb
This portal tomb is really easy to locate, the huge capstone can been seen from the roadway, nestled against a field boundry. As you approach the monument you realise the chamber is facing away from you in an easterly direction. What you see from the road is actually the top of the capstone, the back of the capstone has slipped off the 1.5 metre high backstone and rests inside the chamber. The front of the capstone is resting on the 1.8 metre high, southern portal stone, pointing upwards toward the sky, giving the monument it's dramatic appearance. The northern portal stone has been removed, the stone furthest left, in the image below, is the 1.4 metre high doorstone. The chamber is about 2 metres long with long single sidestones on each side.
It's a pity the northern portal is missing, as this would have been a classic portal tomb. This is one of the six portal tombs in County Cavan, located within a seven kilometre radius of the Aghawee tomb. A visit is strongly recommended.
Doorstone in the foreground
Sidestone
Situated: From Kilnaleck head north east on Church Rd. Then after 3 kilometres turn right for Ballyjamesduff. The portal tomb is on farmland to your right about 400 metres beyond St Mary's Catholic Church.
Discovery Map 34: N 4746 9212. Last visit Sept 2020.
Longitude: 7° 16' 44.5" W
Latitude: 53° 52' 35.5" N
Photos: José Gutiérrez.
