Megalithic tomb - wedge tomb

The National Monuments Service's description

In elevated rocky pasture with extensive views to the W and within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL005-160001-). Indicated and named ‘Cromlech’ on the 1840 and 1916 OS 6-inch maps. The former map indicates a mound surrounding the monument. Noted by Westropp (1899, 373) as a ‘cromlech’ ‘in the remains of a mound on a heathy moor … made of three very thin slabs’. Classified by de Valera and Ó Nualláin as a ‘wedge-shaped gallery grave’ (1962, 14) and the details that follow are taken from there.

A well-preserved wedge tomb orientated ENE-WSW and set within an oval grass-covered cairn (9m E-W; 7m N-S; H 1m). The tomb comprises a capstone (L 2.1m; Wth 1.9m; T 0.15m) supported by a N sidestone (L 2.35m; H 1.15m; T 0.15-25m) and a S sidestone (L 3m; H 0.95m; T 0.1m). The top edges of both sidestones slope down to the E and exhibit traces of dressing. The N sidestone leans slightly inwards, and part of the upper surface of the S sidestone appears to have broken off. According to Westropp (1911, 355) the capstone was pushed S between 1899 and 1911. It now rests with its S edge against the top of the S sidestone with its N edge protruding c. 0.35m beyond the N sidestone. The chamber is broadest and highest to the SW (Wth 1.2m) decreasing in height and width to the NE (Wth 1.15m). On inspection in 1998 the tomb was found to be unchanged since de Valera and Ó Nualláin’s visit. The wedge tomb and mound are incorporated into a sinuous mound wall aligned broadly E-W. 

Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Eve Campbell

 

Date of upload: 24 September 2025

 

See linked document with details from Ruaidhrí de Valera and Seán Ó Nualláin, Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume I. County Clare. (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1961).

Date of upload: 24 December 2011

References

Westropp, T.J. 1899 Prehistoric remains in the Burren, County Clare. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 29, 367-84. de Valera, R. and Ó Nualláin, S. 1961 Survey of the megalithic tombs of Ireland, vol. 1: County Clare. Dublin. Stationery Office.

Westropp, T.J. 1911 Prehistoric remains (forts and dolments) in the Burren, Co. Clare (continued). Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 1, 343-67.