^.^.AcacieB., 3,1808 



^ [ 589 ] 



XXIII. 



ON THE ORIENTATION OF SOME CEOMLECHS IN THE 

 NEIGHBOURHOOD OE DUBLIN. (PaetI.) ByPROEESSOR 

 J. P. O'REILLY, Royal College of Science, DubUn. TPlates 

 XIII. TO XVII.) 



[Read JrxE 22, 1896.] 



Ijf a Paper " Ontiie orientatioii of certain dolmens recently discovered 

 in Catalonia,"^! pointed out that these grouped themselves according 

 to three or four principal directions, mainly, N."W. and S.E. This 

 evidence of distinct orientation led me to presume that the cromlechs 

 of more Western Europe would not only show distinct orientation, but 

 might also allow of the classification of these monuments, and tho 

 formation of groups according to their observed directions, it being 

 presumable that the same motive guides the builders in giving a like 

 disposition as regards the cardinal points of the compass, to these 

 monuments, in Western as in Eastern Europe. 



I was therefore led to examine the cromlechs existing in the 

 neighbourhood of Dublin from this point of view, and now submit 

 the following remarks and drawings relative thereto as the results of 

 my examination. 



The cromlechs visited and here planned are those of Shanganagh, 

 Brennanstown or Glen Druid and Howth. 



These have already been described by Henry O'Neill, in an article 

 published in the Transactions of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society, 

 vol. ii., 1852-3, p. 40, " On the Rock Monuments of the Co. Dublin," 

 and also by Wakeman, in his "Handbook of Irish Antiquities," 2nd 

 edition, 1891. Both these authors have given drawings or sketches 

 of the monuments, but no plans. Their remarks will be cited in each 

 particular case. 



ShajS^ganagh Ceomlech (PL XIII., figs. 1, 2). 



The first examined by me was that of Shanganagh, which may be 

 reached in or about one-quarter hour's walk from Ballybrack Railway 



^Proc. R. I. A., 3rd Ser., vol. 3, p. 573. 

 E.I. A. PKOC, SEE. III., VOL.* IV. 2 U 



