"Ossian's grave" Further Afield Tip by oneonta_ni

Further Afield, Belfast: 22 reviews and 20 photos

This is Ossian's grave, Lubitavish, in the Glens of Antrim. It is located approximately 2 miles west-north-west of Cushendall and is a neolithic court tomb. It dates to about 3000 BC. Local tradition says that it is the grave of the son of Fionn MacCumhaill (of Giant's Causeway fame).

Northern Ireland poet, John Hewitt (for whom a pub is named in Belfast) wrote a poem about the spot:

Ossian's Grave

We stood and pondered on the stones
whose plan displays their pattern still;
the small blunt arc, and , sill by sill,
the pockets stripped of shards and bones.
The legend has it, Oisin lies
beneath this landmark on the hill,
asleep till Fionn and Oscar rise
to summon his old bardic skill
in hosting their last enterprise. This, stricter scholarship denies,
declares this megalithic form
millenniums older than his time
if such lived ever, out of rime -
let either story stand for true,
as heart or head shall rule.

This is a beautiful spot for a drive and to explore the fantastic scenery. This area would be a nice place to stay for exploring the north coast, especially the Giant's Causeway.

Review Helpfulness: 0.5 out of 5 stars