Srahwee Wedge Tomb is situated about ten kilometres from Louisburgh in County Mayo and is one of the finest wedge tombs I have come across. Its setting is fantastic also, across the road is Lough Nahaltora which is a flooded ancient forest of Scots pine. Four thousand years ago when the wedge tomb would have been constructed this valley would have been dry and covered in woodland, the stumps of this ancient forest can sometimes still be seen protruding from the lake. The tomb is five metres in length and two metres in width, a massive single chamber being covered by a single huge slab. The entrance is to its west and it is tapered from front to back, there are double walls on both its sides.

The tomb has been known locally as the ‘Altoir’ which is understandable as it was used as an altar for serving mass during the penal times, a small cross is etched into the roof-stone’s south-eastern end. One can only imagine this powerful and dramatic setting as a truly inspirational place where mass was celebrated in a time when Catholic priests were hunted for reward. Many references to this tomb also described it as Tober Nahaltora, which means the well of Nahaltora, or well of the Altar, I could find no evidence of a well on the day of my visit but there are plenty of references to a well at this site.

GPS: 53.70613, -9.82507