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'The find of a lifetime': Megalithic passage tomb dating back 5,500 years found in Co Meath

To date, two burial chambers have been discovered within the western part of the main passage.

image005 Dr Clíodhna Ní Lionain, Devenish’s Lead archaeologist for the project, with some of the pieces of unearthed Maxwell Photography Maxwell Photography

A MEGALITHIC PASSAGE tomb cemetery dating back some 5,500 years has been unearthed beside Dowth Hall in Co Meath.

The discovery is within the Brú na Bóinne world heritage site. The excavation is being carried out by agri-technology company Devenish in partnership with UCD’s School of Archaeology.

To date, two burial chambers have been discovered within the western part of the main passage, over which a larger stone cairn (c. 40 metre diameter) was raised.

The six kerbstones that have been identified so far would have formed part of a ring of stones that followed the cairn perimeter.

One kerbstone is heavily decorated with Neolithic carvings.

Two other possible satellite tombs were also found during the course of the excavation.

“For the archaeologists involved in this discovery, it is truly the find of a lifetime,” Dr Clíodhna Ní Lionáin, Devenish’s lead archaeologist for the project said.

Dr Steve Davis of the UCD School of Archaeology added: “This is the most significant megalithic find in Ireland in the last 50 years, since the excavation of Knowth. The spate of archaeological discoveries in Brú na Bóinne in recent weeks highlights what a globally significant place this is.”

image002 The tomb cemetery dates back some 5,500 years Maxwell Photography Maxwell Photography

Speaking today at the excavation site, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan said: “The discovery of this new and very significant passage tomb cemetery, dating back to the Neolithic period, some 5,500 years ago, is hugely significant as it will help improve our understanding of the people, culture and heritage in that era.

“To know that this historic site will be preserved for future generations to see, understand and cherish is positive in every respect.”

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    Mute Paddy Byrne
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    Jul 24th 2016, 6:47 PM

    Does this mean our insurance premiums will keep rising?

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    Mute Fluffer TheCanary
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    Jul 24th 2016, 11:25 PM

    as long as insurers make big profits and pay fat executive salaries then yes

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    Mute Richard Cronin
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    Jul 24th 2016, 11:56 PM

    Who do you think is going to foot the bill for this payout to board hold.. I’m mean policy holders

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    Mute Darach Malone
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    Jul 24th 2016, 6:51 PM

    That’s good news. Those with policies are lucky to get payments.

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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Jul 24th 2016, 6:50 PM

    It’s one less player in the market.. So probably yes.

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    Mute Paul Smith
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    Jul 24th 2016, 9:03 PM

    I didn’t get refund when setanta collapsed. Just paid out 670 then it collapsed following week and had to insure myself again. Nightmare it was

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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Jul 24th 2016, 7:04 PM

    I thought all the insurance companies were supposed to be gouging massive profits from people? This doesn’t suit the narrative……..

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    Mute Fred
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    Jul 24th 2016, 7:14 PM

    This isn’t about suiting any “narrative”. It’s concrete fact that car insurance companies are “gouging massive profits from people” and to suggest otherwise is lying as it’s a very personal impact considering people know exactly how much they’re paying…

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    Mute Mark O'Connor
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    Jul 24th 2016, 7:25 PM

    Apparently most insurers are running a loss on car insurance. They have to make it up with home insurance etc. The fact that people are suing when any kind of accident happens and the courts hand out ridiculously high settlements, is what is driving (excuse the pun) our premiums up.

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    Mute ULTRON
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    Jul 24th 2016, 10:34 PM

    Insurance companies should change their underwriting criteria. They should load judges policies with €65,000 per annum to cover loses from ridiculously high settlements for bogus claims

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    Mute Fluffer TheCanary
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    Jul 24th 2016, 11:26 PM

    insurance companies are tidying up nicely, but they want you to think differently

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    Mute Donal Carey
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    Jul 24th 2016, 7:22 PM

    Nice to see somebody getting money we had Setanta Insurance for one month when it went bust and nothing back even though we done it through a broker

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    Mute jonathan masterson
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    Jul 24th 2016, 8:35 PM

    I was in the same boat Donal…Great to see the policy holders with Enterprise are getting a refund..

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    Mute Rowan Murphy
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    Jul 24th 2016, 8:52 PM

    I’ve 3 weeks left on my policy. I wonder what that’s worth.

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    Mute Chewey Bacca
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    Jul 24th 2016, 10:55 PM

    21/366th of your original premium

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    Mute Rowan Murphy
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    Jul 24th 2016, 11:39 PM

    Roughly €23. Huge inconvenience though.

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