Wedge tomb in Ballynahown

On flat rocky ground with higher ground to the E and commanding views of the ocean from SW to NW over the Clare Coast and Galway Bay and within a large field system (CL004-027001-). It is one of four wedge tombs (CL004-066002-, CL004-066001-, CL004-071---- and CL004-073----) known as the Ballynahown group in the Megalithic Survey (De Valera and Ó Nualláin 1961, 41). A poorly preserved wedge tomb with a SSW-aligned chamber (est. L c. 3m) which rises toward the front and is surrounded by a low mound (est. diam. c. 9.5m; H 0.6-0.75m). It was recorded in the Megalithic Survey as CL. 45 (De Valera and Ó Nualláin 1961, 40) (although the orientations cited in the written description are incorrect). The E side stone remains in situ (L 3.5m; H 1.3m at SSW; H 1.15m at NNE; T 0.1m); it is cracked towards the centre and the top edge is broken but traces of dressing are visible. A slab (L 3m; Wth c. 1.9m; T 0.1m), most likely the roofstone, leans against its W face. Field inspection in 1998 noted that the interior is filled with large, flat stones. Long flat slabs incorporated into the nearby field wall c. 30m to the E may originally have formed part of the tomb. Another wedge tomb (CL004-066001-) is located c. 91m to the S. The following items have been uploaded: CL004-066002-_01.pdf Details from Ruaidhrí de Valera and Seán Ó Nualláin, Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume I. County Clare. (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1961). CL004-066002-_01.jpg View from N CL004-066002-_02.jpg View from NNE Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 14 June 2022