Megalithic tomb - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

Within the W half of a low elongated mound (c. 20.5m ENE-WSW; c. 4.8-8.5m NNW-SSE; H c. 0.5-0.8m) associated with a wedge tomb (CL009-084007-) that lies c. 2.5m to the NE; a possible cist (CL009-084009-) lies c. 2.5m to the SW. Indicated on the 1842 and 1920 eds. of the OS 6-inch map and labelled ‘Cromlechs’ on the latter ed. Described by de Valera and Ó Nualláin (1961, 28-9) as a completely collapsed structure that was difficult to interpret. It is defined by a roofstone (L 2.55m; Wth 2m; T 0.15m), oriented roughly NE-SW, and almost all the other structural elements are concealed beneath it. A large slab (L 2.1m; Wth 1.05m; T 0.1-0.15m) visible under the S edge of the roofstone may be the collapsed S sidestone; its straight S edge may have supported the roofstone when it was upright. An erect stone (L 0.9m; H 0.75m; T 0.1-0.15m), N of this slab, may mark the E end of the chamber. A set stone (L 1.4m; H 0.45m; T 0.1m) to its E and a second slab may define its N side. The function of a displaced prostrate slab (L 0.9m) at the SW corner of the roofstone could not be determined. The mound associated with the wedge tomb narrows to the E of this structure, which suggested to de Valera and Ó Nualláin (ibid., 29) that the original mound had been extended to incorporate it and the possible cist to its W. On the basis of the proportions of the slabs of this structure, de Valera and Ó Nualláin (ibid.) concluded that it was best regarded as a small megalithic chamber.
On inspection in October 1998 the monument was as described above. These tombs form part of a concentration of prehistoric monuments in the immediate vicinity, some of which were investigated by Grant (1995, 31-3). The closest of monuments in this complex include: a stone row (CL009-084006-), which lies c. 20m to the NW; and a standing stone (CL009-084032-), which lies c. 19m to the NNE.

See also linked document, filed with CL009-084007-, for details from Ruaidhrí de Valera and Seán Ó Nualláin, Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume I. County Clare. (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1961)

Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott

Date of upload: 27 April 2022

References

Grant, C. 1995. Mapping a Bronze Age Burren landscape. Archaeology Ireland 9, no. 1, 31-3.

De Valera and Ó Nualláin 1961 Survey of the megalithic tombs of Ireland, vol. i, County Clare. Dublin. Stationery Office.