Midden in Ballinaleama

Amongst the sand-dunes at SW end of the peninsula which terminates in the island archipelago of Slyne Head. An extensive series of middens exposed in the eroding faces and basins of the dunes. Layered deposits containing charcoal, burnt stones and a wide variety of shells including periwinkle, whelk and broken limpets are visible, as are a number of walls and a possible hut. The 'circular ... stone hut' noted by Praeger (1980, 167) 'near Slyne Head' may have been located in this area. (Killanin 1954, 94; Killanin and Duignan 1967, 94) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). Date of upload: 05 August 2010