What is recorded here
Barrow is a circular, fort-like mound in County Clare, Ireland. A later field wall cuts through its centre, but the raised middle still resembles a bell barrow rather than an ordinary fort. The mound sits on a slight pasture rise, surrounded by overgrowth and scrub, with Glencolumbkille Castle nearby. Its shape suggests burial, ceremony or residence, yet no clear account survives.
On a slight pasture rise surrounded by overgrowth and scrub. Described by Coffey (1985, 27) as, ‘… a circular, fort-like mound surrounded by a ditch. It is defaced by a wall passing through the centre of the monument. Unlike an ordinary fort, this one has a centre built up high, and it looks very like a bell barrow or tumulus.’
A subcircular area (diams. c. 25m WNW-ESE; c. 23m NNE-SSW) is defined by a broad, flat-topped, grass-covered bank (Wth at base 4-5m; Wth at top 1m; H 0.6-1m) of stone and earth with most stone visible in the N half of the bank. The overgrown interior appears hollow, with a low scarp (H 0.7m) curving E-W in the S sector. A later field wall bisects the monument WNW-ESE. Several banks abut the external face of the enclosing bank exterior at E and ENE.
Glencolumbkille Castle tower house (CL010-040002-) lies c. 70m to the NW. There is an enclosure (CL010-040004-) c. 100m to the NNW.
Reference
Coffey, T. 1985 Field notes. The Other Clare 9, 27-31.
Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Conn Herriott
Date of upload: 20 February 2023
A Neolithic or early Bronze Age barrow, likely a ring barrow or bell barrow, defaced by later activity; its original function and wider significance are obscured by damage and lack of detailed investigation.
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- Recorded monument
Places near here
Glencolumbkille CastleCastle · 104 yd
IndicatedEnclosure · 124 yd
Holy WellHoly well · 975 yd
Castle (in ruins)Castle, tower house · 1053 yd
Burren National ParkNature reserve · 1.4 mi
Slieve RoeMountain / peak · 2.5 mi