Ballyquin Portal Tomb (Mothel Dolmen)

The setting for Ballyquin Portal Tomb aka Mothel Dolmen really could not be better.
The site can be found in rich pasture land at the bottom of a valley with a stream running close by.

The tomb although now only resting on its two front portal stones still has a great look about it.
The large capstone is over 4 meters in length and 2.5 meters in width, the depth of the capstone is close a meter.
The two portal stones are 1.5 meters in height.

A short distance away from the tomb stands a lone stone (bottom image) that is 1.5 meters in height.
This stone is thought to have belonged to another tomb that was close by but not in the present stones location.

Access - The tomb can be seen from the road, parking can be found opposite the Holy Well (the other side of the stream). The field sometimes has cattle keeping guard of the site. 

Ballynageeragh Portal Tomb

These shots are the result of a re visit to Ballynageeragh, as on the previous occasion I was not happy with the way the images turned out.
Ballynageeragh tomb to be honest is a bit of a mess as it has been reconstructed quite badly.
Some of the people responsible for this even saw fit to put their name to the work (you can find it on the cavity blocks at the back).

The tombs capstone is over 4 meters in length and close to 2.5 meters in width.
It has a nice angle which gives the tomb a bit of character.
The wall stones are at funny angles and look all wrong, but even they don't prepare you for the work of
P Murray & Sons which can be seen in all its glory at the back of the tomb.

Ballynageerargh is part of Waterford's Dolmen trail.
You will find much better tombs close by like Gaulstown and Knockeen.
But this tomb is still very much worth a visit as despite the work carried out this tomb when viewed from the front looks pretty special.

Access - The tomb is located in a very large field,
The field is opposite a working farm and has a narrow lane way that brings you down to the site, there is room for parking. 
From where you park the tomb will look a bit on the small side, but when you climb the cattle gate and get up closer you will see this is not true as the tomb has a nice size to it.

Ardmore Round Tower

Ardmore is not alone home to this impressive complete Round Tower, but also this superb site has a Cathedral, an Oratory and two Ogham stones.

The round tower is just under 30 meters high and is thought to date back to the 12thCentury.
The four floored tower is made of sandstone and has a total of  7 windows, with the doorway just shy of four meters from ground level.
The cap of the tower is not the original - the replacement gives the tower looking like something that is about to take off from NASA.

St Declans Oratory (second last image on right) which gets its name from the 5thCentury saint is said to be the site of his grave. 
The church which is said to be the oldest structure on the site was restored by the Bishop of Waterford  Thomas Mills in 1716. 

The Cathedral dated 12thCentury has on its west gable panels which depict some scenes from the bible.
Inside the cathedral you will find two Ogham stones located in sheltered spots protected from the elements.

Access - Because of the tower you will see this site well in advance. 
It is well signposted from the N25 Dungarvan Youghal road.
The R673 will bring you right up to the tower. 

Dunhill Portal Tomb

This is one of the lesser known tombs to be found on the Waterford megalithic map.
The capstone which is about four meters by three rests on one portal stone with the other end on a pile of various small rocks.
This tomb is by far in the worst shape compared to other sites in the area.

It is very easy to find.  The tomb is located in a field beside a large farm (their may be a Bull in the field but I could not see him ).

Matthewstown Passage Tomb

This impressive tomb is located on the land of (what is now) a pig farm, (so make sure you ask for permission to visit this site). Smaller than you would think from looking at images, the tomb has a very knocked about look to it. The passage measures 3.5 metres long and has three roof-stones finely balanced on the uprights.

Knockeen Portal Tomb

This is quite a stunning Portal Tomb. The tomb stands to a very impressive height of three and a half metres,  There are two capstones - a feature like other portal tombs in the South of Ireland. The main one is a massive horizontal slab twelve feet long and three feet thick.  It rests on the portal stones and on the smaller capstone which covers the rectangular chamber.

Sad to report that this site is becoming very overgrown and coupled with the fact that the tomb has had a boundary wall built onto it - this all takes away from what should be a truly magical site. This should not put you off visiting this site as close by are Gaulstown and Ballynageeragh which make for a great trio of portal tombs that are a must see.

Gaulstown Portal Tomb

Gaulstown Portal Tomb is one of Waterford's superb portal tombs that is a must see along with the others named below.

The capstone on this tomb is close to five meters in length and is about one metre thick. It rests on six upright stones and will give you many different images when viewed from all sides.

The fourth image is thought to be all that remains of a cist, the stone is very impressive itself
( I am a  little bit worried that I did not notice it on my first visit ).

If your in Waterford and close to Tramore the tombs of Gaulstown, Knockeen, Ballynageeragh and Dunhill are all worth checking out.