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A WEDGE TOMB located in Shankill, Co Dublin that is over 4,500 years old has collapsed.
The tomb, which dates back to the Neolithic period before the start of the Bronze Age, appears to have collapsed in late 2021, with photos showing the capstone having fallen in.
The tomb itself is located on farmland in Shankill, and is known as the Carrickgollogan wedge tomb.
Andrew Bambrick, who runs a heritage conservation community, says that the capstone appears had fallen in between the two supporting stones, and that it was sad to see it like this.
“It’s sad, it’s been in the country for over 4,500 years and it’s collapsed,” said Bambrick.
Photos taken of the monument in early 2021 show it surrounded by fencing and overgrown with brambles.
In more recent photos, there are fewer brambles surrounding the tomb, but the capstone has collapsed inwards.
Bambrick says that while wedge tombs have collapsed in the past, it is usually due to factors like tree roots displacing the tomb and over long periods of time, erosion.
Bambrick says that he has reported the collapse to the National Monument Service, but had yet to receive a response.
However, the Department of Heritage said that the National Monuments Service was made aware of the collapse and that they plan on investigating further.
“The National Monuments Service was recently made aware of an apparent collapse of a capstone at the monument and will be investigating the matter,” said a spokesperson for the Department.
The wedge tomb is included within the most recent Record of Protected Structures (RPS) published by Dun Laoghaire – Rathdown County Council.
While there is awareness of large scale monuments, like Newgrange, Bambrick says that there needs to be more done to raise awareness of smaller, local heritage sites like the Carrickgollogan Dolmen.
He says greater awareness of these historical sites will lead to greater preservation efforts and called for local community groups to be set up to look after dolmens.
Bambrick said that while there were laws in place to protect historical sites like dolmens, there needed to be further efforts to investigate and enforce these protection laws.
He says that a separate organisation specifically to tackle monument vandalism needed to be set up by the Government.
The National Monuments Service is responsible for archaeological matters arising at larger monuments in the care of the State, as well as carrying out surveys on areas that may have historical monuments.
The body also provides advice to planning authorities on development proposals, like development plans, around the impacts they may have on historical sites.
Wedge tombs were the last tombs to be built during the Neolithic period, acting as burial grounds. All wedge tombs in the country are protected under the National Monument Service.
Similar tombs constructed during the Neolithic era include passage tombs, portal tombs and court tombs. These were constructed earlier in the Neolithic era, before wedge tombs became more common.
Well-known wedge tombs include the Labbacallee wedge tomb near Glanworth in Co Cork. It is noted as the largest in Ireland and dates back to 2300 BC.
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Cowboy builders… You’d want at least 5000 out of a tomb
@Brian Guilfoyle: Very good.
@Larry Whack: you laugh, but it’s on Daft with a questionable BER rating now for €750k
Pyrite it’s rampant in South Dublin, during the tomb building boom they just threw them up another problem this government caused lol
@Mark Dawson: lmao
@Mark Dawson: lol of course no one is arguing they didn’t cause the Pyrite issue. They’re in charge of testing oversight.
They just don’t build anything to last anynore. Shoddy workmanship.
Further evidence of climate change. We need to quadruple the price of fuel anf exterminate the national herd in order ro reverse global climate change and our beautiful countryside and historic tombs will be safe.
It’s 100% scientifically verified that if we stop using all fossil fuels and exterminate all farmed animal’s in this country that climate change will be a thing of the past.
@Anthony Guinnessy: you serious or just having a rant there? It’s a wedge tomb mate …. It’s fallen apart due to lack of respect and obviously old age not because I drive an SUV and put milk on my cereal.
@Anthony Guinnessy: it’s was a scientific fact that the earth was flat at 1 point
@Anthony Guinnessy: Please tell us that you are not old enough to vote yet.
@Thomas Meaney: ye legend mate. also tell him that the most dangerous thing for the planet is the experimental nuclear explosions we have done and nuclear power plants and fission reactors.
You’d think with something so old they might have looked after it a bit better.
@Thomas Meaney: original owners weren’t able to keep up with the maintenance due to old age.
@Anthony Guinnessy: it’s up for rent, beautiful compact family tomb in much sought after area, this is a rare opportunity to rent a true off the grid cosy home, easily sleep 4 and 2 months deposit and 1 finger and a kidney for security a bargain at 3500 a month
@Thomas Meaney: that’s what they said about my poor old nan
The labbacallee wedge Tombin that second photo is amazing. It means leaba an cailleach. The hags bed. Its huge. And well maintained. Easy to access.
We really need to try harder to look after our heritage. These sites are special and deserve our effort.
In other news. A rock falls off 2 rocks
@Tom: Lol brilliant !
No doubt there will be an investigation and survey and engineers report and a hefty bill involved
They’re a bunch of cowboys Ted.
@JustMeHere: Shoddy Ted, Shoddy Shoddy Shoddy!!!
There should be a governing body in charge of keeping these historical monuments protected. This turned into a scratching post for livestock. You can see there’s no grass around it. The farmer should be ashamed
What would the druids say?
so that’s a sign of the end of times right?
It’ll be on daft for 650k next week.
I expect us taxpayers will have to pay for this. And it’s current market value is $1m. Though only €20k for property tax purposes.
Shoddy Shoddy Shoddy Workmanship!
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