Gray — Irish Cromlechs. 233 



very closely resemble cromlechs. As, for example, the kistvaen 

 at Roughfort, in the parish of Templepatrick, which occurs 

 about three and a half miles south of Doagh, and seven miles 

 north of Belfast, and consists of a series of chambers forming a 

 group forty feet long, the terminal chamber being very large, 

 and covered by a great block of stone. 



There are about thirty-eight stones in the group, and the 

 block over the large chamber measures 6 ft. X 5^ ft. X3^ ft, or 

 equal to about eight tons. 



If, in the course of time, this single chamber was left standing 

 alone, it would have all the characters of a cromlech, and might 

 be very fairly described under that head. See Sketch No. 3. 



The author would define the term " Cromlech" as an ancient 

 rude stone monument composed of one large block, supported 

 by two or more stones, usually set on end or edge, forming a 

 sub-aerial chamber. 



Of such monuments the following include all those that 

 occur in the Counties of Antrim and Down, and each of them 

 has been personally examined by the author, and, as far as 

 possible, measured and sketched. 



CROMLECHS IN COUNTY ANTRIM. 



The neighbourhood of Ballintoy, on the north coast of 

 County Antrim, possesses many features of very great interest 

 to the Irish archaeologist, particularly the picturesque slopes of 

 Whitepark Bay, to the west of the parish church. The long 

 stretch of sand-dunes that skirt the base of the talus, below the 

 mural cliffs of chalk surrounding the bay, formed the camping 

 ground of early settlers. The evidence in proof of those ancient 

 settlements is furnished by the quantities of stone implements, 

 worked flints, chips and cores, charcoal and pottery, that have 

 been collected here from time to time, and which, from their 

 quantity and variety, indicate long periods of continuous 

 occupation.* 



* Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeolgoical Society. 4th Ser., Vol. V., 

 July, 1879. Belfast Naturalists' Field Club Guide to Belfast, &c, 1873. 



