Midden

The National Monuments Service's description

On the W side of Doonbeg Bay on the N side of a triangular headland c. 26m W of Doonmore castle (CL046-019002-). A shell midden (L 3.3m; T 0.05- 0.18m; D below surface 0.59m) comprising almost exclusively limpet shells at the W end and dog whelks at the E end. Immediately to the W a light scattering of dog whelks (L 2.8m; T 0.28m; D below surface 0.31m) is exposed. Two other shell middens (CL046-040---- and CL046-038----) lie 6m and 13m to the E respectively. Banks in the adjacent field were noted as a possibly promontory fort (Casey 1999) (CL046-019001-). Middens were noted at this location in 2008 in advance of proposed development at Doonbeg pier and the banks were interpreted as a possible bawn relating to the castle (Coyne, Darmody and O’Mahony 2008, 25-7). Further reports were furnished in 2014-15 (pers. comm. John Tracey) when it was thought that the middens were newly exposed due to severe storms.

Compiled by: Mary Tunney

Date of upload: 26 May 2015

References

Coyne, F., Darmody, N. and O'Mahony, B. 2008 Archaeological impact statement in advance of a proposed development at Doonbeg Pier, Doonbeg, Co. Clare. Unpublished archaeological report. National Monuments Section Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin.

Casey, M. 1999 The coastal promontory forts of Ireland. A survey of counties Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Clare. Unpublished MA thesis, National University of Ireland, Galway.