Cairn, Coumaraglinmountain, Co. Waterford

Co. Waterford |

Cairns

Cairn, Coumaraglinmountain, Co. Waterford

On the summit plateau of Seefin Mountain in County Waterford, roughly sixty metres south-east of the main rock outcrop at the top, there is a low circular mound of stones that most walkers would likely step over without a second thought. It measures about eight metres across and barely four-tenths of a metre in height, with a hollow worn or built into its centre. No structural stones break the surface, which means the internal arrangement, if any ever existed, is no longer legible from above.

What this mound represents, in broad terms, is a cairn, a form of monument found across Ireland and Britain from the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods onwards. Cairns were raised over burials, used as boundary markers, or erected to commemorate events or individuals whose specific significance has long since dissolved into the landscape. The hollow at the centre of this one is a detail worth noting. It can indicate that a cist, a small stone-lined grave box, once sat within, or simply that the material has settled and shifted over centuries of exposure on high ground. Without excavation, the question stays open. The location, close to the highest point of the mountain rather than on an approach route or valley floor, suggests it was placed to be seen from a distance, or to occupy a position that already carried meaning to the people who built it.

Rated 0 out of 5

Visitor Notes

Review type for post source and places source type not found
Added by
Picture of Pete F
Pete F
IrishHistory.com is passionate about helping people discover and connect with the rich stories of their local communities.
Please use the form below to submit any photos you may have of Cairn, Coumaraglinmountain, Co. Waterford. We're happy to take any suggested edits you may have too. Please be advised it will take us some time to get to these submissions. Thank you.
Name
Email
Message
Upload images/documents
Maximum file size: 100 MB
If you'd like to add an image or a PDF please do it here.

Advertisement