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All Ireland Snugborough Darby's Bed

Darby's Bed

A Neolithic passage tomb said to have sheltered two legendary Irish lovers.

Snugborough, Ireland

Added By
Mike Ryan
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Darby’s Bed.   Ballyhoura Failte/cc by-sa 2.0
Darby’s Bed.   Ballyhoura Failte/cc by-sa 2.0
Darby’s Bed.   Ballyhoura Failte/cc by-sa 2.0
Darby’s Bed.   mikeryan / Atlas Obscura User
Darby’s Bed.   Ballyhoura Failte/cc by-sa 2.0
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About

Standing atop a wooded hill are the remains of a passage tomb believed to date from around 3000 BCE. Stumbling upon this megalithic grave provides walkers with a glimpse of Ireland’s ancient past.

All that remains of the original structure are its large upright stones, known as orthostats, that once lined the tomb’s passageway and capped chamber. An earthen mound once covered the gravesite, which before the forest was planted, would have offered breathtaking views of the landscape below.

It’s unknown who lies within the Neolithic tomb. One local tale claims it’s the final resting place of Oilill Olum, King of Munster, though this legendary ruler is believed to have lived in the third century CE.

That isn’t the only bit of lore attached to the tomb. It’s said that legendary lovers Diarmuid and Gráinne took shelter beneath the stones while fleeing from Fionn mac Cumhaill, a hunter-warrior who the princess Gráinne had been supposed to marry.

Related Tags

Tombs Burial Places Gravestones Celtic Trails Legends Mythology Graves

Know Before You Go

Take the Boreen NW out of the village of Galbally. You will then arrive at the Duntryleague car park. Leave the parking lot and walk uphill through open fields and then into the forest, where the trail eventually leads to the tomb. Be prepared for sudden, changeable weather. 

Community Contributors

Added By

mikeryan

Edited By

Kerry Wolfe

  • Kerry Wolfe

Published

September 17, 2018

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Sources
  • https://www.discoverireland.ie/Activities-Adventure/darby-s-bed-loop/80871
  • http://timetravelireland.blogspot.com/2015/02/darbys-bed-county-limerick.html
  • https://www.irishtrails.ie/Trail/Darby-s-Bed-loop/483/
  • http://www.thejournal.ie/darbys-bed-kells-priory-heritage-ireland-1923957-Feb2015/
Darby's Bed
Snugborough
Ireland
52.406443, -8.322433

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