Location

For each of the monuments on these pages is given the name by which it is normally known, which generally is that found on the Ordnance Survey maps.
The nearest readily identificable town and village are also given, along with the site's national grid reference.
It is hoped that these directions will enable those without the OS map to find the sites, but road and path signs may change so rapidly that is always safer to have the relevant map, if possible. There are several cheaper alternative maps although inevitably less detailed; it is also worth checking public libraries for 1:50.000 sheets.
 
How to locate a British site

  • First get the appropriate 1:50.000 Ordnance Survey map
  • Then look at the grid reference for the site, which consists of two letters and six figures (e.g. SO 210783). The letters can usually be ignored as long as the correct map is being used, as they are large-scale refernce for the appropriate 100 km square.
  • Then take the first three numbers, which refer to the numbers on the top or bottom of the map; the first two of these will indicate the western line of the 1 km square in which the site lies. The third will measure in tenths how far eastward within that square the site lies.
  • Repeat the procedure with the second group of three numbers, which refer to the numbers on the right or left side of the map and increase in value northwards.
  • Although this may sound complicated, after doing a few trial searches there should be no problem with easily locating any given site.
For any additional information, we suggest to visit the Ordnance Survey map Web site.
 
How to locate an Irish site
 
Although a new 1:50.000 series of maps is currently being published, only a part of the Republic of Ireland is yet covered. The choice is between the very expensive 6-inch series of the Ordnance Survey Office, Dublin, or the 1:126,720 maps which, at a scale of 1/2 inch to the mile, can just be used to reach the general situation of a site. Fortunately, the famous Irish courtesy can be an invaluable help in finding the megalithic monuments. Simply ask politely and you will almost invariabily be rewarded with precise directions on how to find the site or even taken directly there by car, tractor or bicycle.
Anyway, to locate an Irish site using the new 1:50.000 series of maps you can follow the same directions we gave for the English and Scottish sites. If you have the old OS 1/2" maps instead, please take these steps to find an Irish site:
  • In the third line of each entry, after the nearest readily identificable town and village, you will find an entry beginning with the letters OS, which gives details as to where the monument can be located to within a mile ore less on the Ordnance Survey Half Inch map.
  • Then you will find a number, a letter, a point, another number, another point and a third and final number, divided in three groups (e.g. 24V.61.63).
  • The first number on the first group refers to the Half Inch OS map.
  • The letter on the first group refers to the quadrants on the National Grid, each quadrant being marked with a letter and printed on the bottom of the map.
  • The number of the second group (after the first point) refers to the numbers on the top or bottom of the map.
  • The last group of numbers (after the second point) refers to the numbers on the right or left of the map.
  • The area where the two references meet is roughly where the monument is located.
  • There are 25 such Half Inch maps covering the whole country, and it is advisable to obtain at a booksellers the maps covering the area in which you are touring.


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