Proleek Dolmen

Proleek Dolmen is one of the finest portal tombs in Ireland, a Neolithic monument dating to approximately 3000–2500 BC located 4 km northeast of Dundalk in a peaceful field beside Ballymascanlan Hotel. Three upright stones support a massive 47-tonne granite capstone, creating the characteristic mushroom shape of a portal tomb. The site is in good condition and freely accessible.

The dolmen sits within the landscape of the Cooley Peninsula, with the Cooley Mountains visible to the north and Dundalk Bay to the south. It's an easy combination with the Táin Way walking route, which loops through the peninsula following the mythological route of the cattle raid of Cooley described in the great Irish epic Táin Bó Cúailnge. The site is maintained by Heritage Ireland and is freely accessible year-round.

things to do sight
A story
The capstone of the Proleek Dolmen weighs approximately 47 tonnes. Local tradition holds that if you can toss a stone onto the capstone and it stays there without rolling off, your wish will be granted. Given the smoothness and slope of the granite surface some 2 metres above the ground, success is rare — but the ledge of the capstone accumulates a small collection of pebbles from those who managed it.