Megalithic tomb - wedge tomb

The National Monuments Service's description

In an upland area of uneven semi-karst land in rough pasture, commanding wide views especially from SW to NE, within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL010-064001-). Named ‘Cromlech’ on the 1842 OS 6-inch map and the 1897 OS 25-inch plan. Drawn as a dolmen-like figure on the 1920 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. Described by de Valera and Ó Nualláin (1961, 37) as a well-preserved wedge tomb (L 3.1m; Wth at W 2.05m, narrowing to 1.5m at E; H at W 1.35m, narrowing to 1.2m at E) orientated E-W, and embedded in the centre of a low oval-shaped mound (12.5m E-W; 8.5m N-S; max. H c. 0.6m) which was disturbed at the NW and SE by grass-covered field walls extending NW-SE. One slab (L 0.75m; H 0.1m) set on edge within the mound near its E side was proposed as a possible kerbstone (ibid.). The chamber sides each consisted of single slabs which were also set on their long edges. The S sidestone (L 3.5m; H at W 1.4m, sloping to 1.35m at E; T 0.2m) and the N sidestone (L at base 3.05m; L at top 3.55m; H 1.3m at W, sloping to 1.1m at E; T 0.2m) were dressed along their top edges, although the E end of the S sidestone was broken at the top. Westropp (1905, 223) recorded the N sidestone extending further to the E. The top edge of the W endstone (L 2.15m; H 1.35m; T 0.15m) was dressed straight; its N edge was also straight and its S edge was chipped, but it was unclear whether these profiles were intentional and ancient. There was a gap (0.35-0.6m) between this endstone and the S sidestone. The capstone was broken into two fragments (W piece L 2m; Wth 2.75m; T 0.2m; E piece L 3m; Wth 2.65m; T 0.2m) both resting on the sidestones with the E capstone fragment overlapping (L 0.2m) the W piece.

Valera and Ó Nualláin (1961, 37) proposed a double row of outer-walling around part of the tomb chamber. On the N side the straight inner line of this outer-walling consisted of three upright slabs (L 0.45-0.95; H 0.05-0.7m; T 0.1-0.15m) which converged with the chamber toward the E, while the more curving outer line comprised six slabs (L 0.3-0.8; av. H 0.25m; av. T 0.1m). Westropp (1905, 223) drew these rows continuing around the W side of the tomb. On the S side the outer-walling consisted of three stones (L 0.3-0.75m; H 0.1-0.35m; T 0.05-0.1m) which also converged with the E end of the tomb. To the E of the chamber were two less clearly defined lines of upright slabs (L 0.45-1.2m; av. H 0.25m; T 0.1m). Another slab (L 1.8m; H 1m; T 0.1m) set upright on its long edge and running W from the NW corner of the chamber was suggested as possibly part of the lining of the entrance (‘portico’) (de Valera and Ó Nualláin 1961, 37). The black earth floor of the chamber was strewn with stones, its W end being partly blocked by them. Westropp (1905, 223) drew a flat-lying ‘basin-stone’ (est. L c. 0.75m; Wth 0.6m) with five cupmarks on its upper surface, located in the SW corner of the tomb. He also (ibid.) described this wedge tomb as ‘recently inhabited’. An inspection of the tomb in 1999 found it unaltered in the interim.

The following item has been uploaded:
CL010-028----_01.pdf 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: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott

Date of upload: 5 April 2023

References

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

Westropp, T. J. 1905 Prehistoric remains (Forts and Dolmens) along the borders of Burren, in the county of Clare. Part 1 – The Eastern Border. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, vol. 35, 205-29.