What is recorded here

Midden in Doonmore is a compacted rib of limpet and oyster shells on the west side of Doonbeg Bay, twenty metres from Doonmore castle. Three such dumps sit within seven metres, as if people kept returning to the same headland, eating what the tide gave and burying the remains beside a possible fort. Storms in 2014 and 2015 stripped the soil back enough to expose them again, suggesting the sea still tends this old kitchen.

On the W side of Doonbeg Bay on the N side of a triangular headland and c. 20m W of Doonmore castle (CL046-019002-). A shell midden (L 2.95m; T 0.12-0.22m; D below surface 0.10m) comprising a densely compacted layer of limpet shells with occasional dog whelks and oyster shells exposed in the N-facing profile. A few oyster shells are exposed c. 0.27m below the main concentration. Two other shell middens (CL046-038---- and CL046-041----) lie 6m to the E and 7m to the W 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 on the middens were furnished in 2014-15 (pers. comm. John Tracey) when it was thought they were newly exposed due to severe storms. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 26 May 2015

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.