Megalithic tomb, Drung, Co. Donegal

Co. Donegal |

Megalithic Tombs

Megalithic tomb, Drung, Co. Donegal

Standing alone in a pasture less than a kilometre from Lough Foyle's western shore, the monument known as the Druid's Altar offers a tantalising glimpse into Donegal's prehistoric past.

Today, only a single upright stone remains, measuring roughly 2 metres high and standing on a small mound of earth and stones. The site commands impressive views across the lough, with the ground falling steadily towards the water whilst rising ground to the west creates a natural boundary inland.

This solitary sentinel wasn't always alone. At the turn of the 20th century, two stones stood here; one about 0.9 metres tall, the other reaching 1.5 metres. But the site's history suggests something far grander once occupied this spot. When Samuel Lewis documented the area in 1837, he noted the remains of 'an ancient cromlech' near Drung village, consisting of eight upright stones with others lying flat nearby. The original Ordnance Survey maps from the 1830s marked this location with eight dots, possibly representing individual stones, whilst local records from that period consistently mention a 'Druid's Altar' in the townland, though frustratingly without detailed descriptions.

Whether this was once a portal tomb, court tomb, or some other form of megalithic monument remains a mystery. The stones that Lewis observed in the 1830s had largely vanished by 1900, and today's lone survivor gives little indication of what configuration they might have formed. The site has appeared on every edition of the OS 6-inch map since the survey began, testament to its enduring significance in the local landscape, even as its original purpose and full extent have been lost to time and, quite possibly, to the practical needs of agricultural improvement.

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