Called Ballylumford dolmen, you wouldn’t really argue with that. However, it is said to be the denuded remains of a passage tomb.
Image credit: ryaner
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Looking more or less north.
Image credit: ryaner
The capstone rests on three of the four orthostats.
Image credit: ryaner
Ballylumford has to be one of the weirdest megalithic experiences ever.
Image credit: ryaner
The dolmen is right on the side of the road, between the road and the front door of the house. Although I knocked before taking the picture, I should imagine the owners are well used to passer’s by stopping to admire the dolmen. I just wish I had something as impressive on my front doorstep!
Image credit: Derfel
Imagine having this in your front garden
Image credit: Shereen
Image credit: Geoff
Articles
Ballylumford ‘dolmen’ is well signposted at the junction of the main A2 Belfast to Larne road and the causeway road across the southern end of Lough Larne on to the peninsula of Islandmagee. After that, you’re practically on your own for the 9 kilometres you must travel until you nearly drive into the tomb.
Roadside tombs and megalithics are great but this is ridiculous. It’s also very wonderful. The adjacent house seems to be empty, possibly abandoned by the residents who seem to have retreated to the rear of the building in reverence and out of respect. Or maybe not. I knew this was close to the road but I wasn’t expecting just how close. I’d also expected to have to knock at the house – not a bit of it. There’s a car-park right beside the monument and we appreciated the “go ahead” we received on asking permission to park from one of the locals.
The stones of the chamber of this passage tomb are all substantial. I found it hard to examine it too closely, caught up the whole drama of it. Taking a photo of the south-west side could be hazardous as you step back into the road. On our visit it was very quiet, no cars passed by in the 20 minutes we spent there. As you can imagine, views are mostly blocked, but I did notice, way away to the north-north-west beyond the side of the house, the bulk of the south end of the Mull of Kintyre, an added bonus on a sun-filled visit.
Sites within 20km of Ballylumford
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Killyglen
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Dunteige
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Dunteige
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Ballygilbert
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Goakstown
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Goakstown
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Deer Park Farms
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The Three Brothers