Midden in Doonmore

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