242 Gray — Irish Cromlechs. 



originally an avenue leading to the chamber. In former times 

 " the ring " was used as a race course, for which it was 

 admirably suited, the rampart making a " grand stand." Under 

 the circumstances, it must be a matter of congratulation that 

 we have so much of the monument preserved. Excavations 

 have been made in the vicinity of the enclosure, and several 

 sepulchral remains have been found. A circular chamber was 

 exposed about seven feet in diameter, formed of blocks of stones 

 covered over with flags. Minor internal divisions of the main 

 chambers contained four cinerary urns and other evidence of 

 ancient burials. Within a short distance of this chamber several 

 other cists of sepulchral character were discovered, all indicating 

 the importance of the central monument in ancient times.* 



2. KEMPE STONE CROMLECH, DUNDONALD. 



Sketch No. 2. 

 The megalithic monument, locally known as the Kempe 

 Stone, is one of the most important in County Down. It occurs 

 on the high ground about a mile to the west of the village of 

 Dundonald, and not far from the main county road from Belfast 

 to Newtownards. The group of stones composing the monu- 

 ment occupy a space of 1 2 ft. by 8 ft., and stand ten feet high to 

 the east and six feet to the west. The chamber measures five 

 feet long, five feet wide at east end, and three feet wide at the 

 west. This chamber is formed of six blocks of stone ; the 

 eastern blocks are upright, and the side blocks are on edge, 

 eight, and seven feet long respectively ; the cap stone measuring 

 eight feet six inches long, seven feet wide, and on an average 

 three feet six inches thick. The block must weigh about 

 seventeen tons. The top of the cap stone has a quick fall or 

 slope to the west. This feature, so common to our cromlechs, 

 may in this case be due to original construction, as the stones 

 supporting it at the west are smaller than those at the east end, 

 and the cap itself is thinnest at the west end. The present 

 name of the townland is Greengraves. The locality was formerly 

 denominated Bally-clogh-togle (town of the raised or lifted 

 ♦ Ulster Journal of Archaeology. Vol. III., page 357. 



