Annaghmare Court Tomb, also known as The Black Castle, is a chamber tomb located near to the town of Crossmaglen in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It is one of many megalithic tombs on the island of Ireland.

Location

Annaghmare Court Tomb is situated 1.73 miles (2.78 km) north-west of the town of Crossmaglen.

Annaghmare Court Tomb

History

The site was excavated in 1963–4, with many of its features preserved in situ. It is thus regarded as "one of the best preserved examples of its type", as other court tombs in Ireland were damaged during the course of their excavations.

Annaghmare Court Tomb

Description

The forecourt of the tomb is horse-shoe shapes and features several large stones up to 1.9m high. The spaces between were filled with dry stone walling.

Annaghmare Court Tomb

The tourist information website visitmournemountains.co.uk notes that the "most unusual feature of the forecourt, however, is a small standing stone to the south-east of the centre".

There is an information board onsite.

References

Archaeological sites in County Armagh

Megalithic monuments in Northern Ireland

Archaeology of Ireland

Archaeology of death

Tombs in the United Kingdom

Burial monuments and structures in Ireland

Chambered cairns