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 sj ft. X 3 \ 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. 
