Megalithic tomb - wedge tomb

The National Monuments Service's description

This feature, named ‘Dermot and Grania’s Bed’ on the 1840 edition of the OS 6-inch map, stood in a generally level area in an otherwise gently undulating field with reasonable views of the surrounding landscape. The field has some rock outcrop close to the surface. Described in the Ordnance Survey letters (OSL, vol. 2, 285) as being ‘in the form of an ordinary grave (coffin) measuring 19 feet 6 inches in length and 4 feet 5 inches in breadth at the foot, and 6 feet 4 inches in breadth at the head, the thickness of the stones all round being included in the measurement. This was enclosed by a number of large stones placed at a few feet distance, and following the form of the grave.’ It is described by Westropp (1902, 113, No. 25i) as a ‘cist….lying in the field near the junction of the by-road and the Tulla road….’. De Valera and Ó Nualláin (1961, 98), indicate that the tomb had been destroyed before Westropp’s visit, hence his reference to a ‘cist’. They noted several almost concealed blocks, obviously ‘not in-situ’ (ibid.). On inspection in 2017 there were no visible remains of any such features at ground level.

The following document has been uploaded:

CL035-009---_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)

Revised by: Mary Tunney and Alison McQueen

Date of revision: 7 November 2017

References

OSL - Ordnance Survey Letters. Letters written by members of the Ordnance Survey's 'Topographical Department' (T. O'Conor, A. O'Curry, E. Curry, J. O'Donovan and P. O'Keeffe) sent to headquarters from the field (1834-41). MSS in Royal Irish Academy.

Westropp, T.J. 1902-4 The cists, dolmens, and pillars in the eastern half of the county of Clare. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 24C, 107-131.

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