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Archaeology
A series of tombs dating from the Neolithic period can be found
at Ballyrenan behind a farm, about 200 metres along a side road
off the B84 between Drumquin and Newtownstewart. There are three
tombs remaining which are known as Portal Tombs. The one to the
west is an unusual double stoned Portal Tomb having two lintels
and roofstones. They were built as a grave for an ancient Irish
Chief about 3000 B.C. Cup marks are to be found on one of the roofstones
of one of the tombs and also a small rectangular block of stone
outside bears criss-cross grooves on the top surface.

Island McHugh, a crannog on Lough Catherine, was occupies
from Neolithic times until the late 16th Century, and is believed
to have the longest history of any known habitation site in western
Europe. It is also recognised as being the earliest artificial island
discovered in the British Isles. The ruin of a medieval castle,
once owned by Henry Hovenden, the English Secretary to the Earl
of Tyrone, is still standing.


Neolithic Tombs - Portal Tombs -
Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland
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