Megalithic tomb - wedge tomb

The National Monuments Service's description

On a very slight rise in high (between 600’ and 653’) undulating rough pasture, within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL010-064001-), with fair views E-S-W-NE. Indicated as a rectangular feature and named ‘Dermot & Grania’s Bed’ on both the first edition (1842) and Cassini edition (1920) of the OS 6-inch map. Described by de Valera and Ó Nualláin (1961, 46) as a very disturbed wedge tomb (est. min. L 3.1m E-W; Wth 1.2m at E) embedded in the centre of a low, roughly circular mound (12.5m N-S; 11.5m E-W; H 0.75-1.25m). The tomb appeared to have originally been orientated E-W. The N and E sides were still in situ, with possible remains of outer-walling at the NE and with a broken capstone lying beyond this to the NE. The N sidestone (L 3.3m; H 1.1m; T 0.15m) leaned inward (i.e., to the S), and was cracked near the W. Westropp (1905, 221) observed signs of hammer-dressing at the E. The E end of the tomb comprised three parallel slabs (L 1.15-1.7m; H 1-1.2m; T 0.1-0.15m). Just to the NE of these was an earthfast slab (L 1.4m; H 0.9m; T 0.1m) orientated NW-SE. Together with a second slab (L 0.7m; H 0.25m; T 0.1m) 0.5m to the E, a third slab (L 1.25m; H 1m; T 0.15m) just N of the N sidestone’s E end and a fourth slab (L 1.7m; H 1m; T 0.15m) leaning against the N side of the N sidestone, all were thought to possibly represent an outer-walling enclosing the tomb’s E end. Immediately to the NE lay two capstone fragments (W fragment L 2.3m; Wth 2.3m; T 0.2-0.3m; E fragment L 2.15m; Wth 1.7m; T 0.2-0.3m). Two smaller slabs lay near the capstone pieces, one (L 1.15m; T 0.1m) to the SE and the other (L 1.55m; Wth 0.95m; T 0.1m) to the NE. Westropp (ibid.) also found the capstone resting on the tomb’s side. An inspection in 1999 found the tomb to have remained as described by de Valera and Ó Nualláin (op. cit.) . A cashel (CL010-064014-) lies c. 30m to the E.

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)

See attached images:
• CL010-064013-_01.JPG View of monument from SW.
• CL010-064013-_02.JPG View of monument from NNW.

References
De Valera, R. and Ó Nualláin, S. 1961 Survey of the megalithic tombs of Ireland. Volume 1 County Clare. Dublin. The Stationery Office.

Westropp, T.J. 1905 Prehistoric remains (forts and dolmens) along the borders of Burren, in the County of Clare. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 35, 205-29.

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Conn Herriott

Date of upload: 6 April 2023