Wedge tomb in Ballynahown

On a broad rocky terrace in upland pasture within a large multi-period field system (CL004-027001-), with views over Galway Bay and the Aran islands to the W and sheltered by higher ground to the N. It is one of four wedge tombs (CL004-071----, CL004-073----, CL004-066002- and CL004-066001-) known as the Ballynahown group in the Megalithic Survey (De Valera and Ó Nualláin 1961, 41). A well-preserved wedge tomb comprising a SSW-aligned chamber (L c. 2.5m; at SSW: Wth 1.3m; H 1.25m; at NNE: Wth 1.1m; H 1.15m) which increases in height and width toward the front and traces of a mound to the S. It was recorded in the Megalithic Survey as CL. 47 (De Valera and Ó Nualláin 1961, 41) (although the orientations cited in the written description are incorrect). The W and E sides of the chamber comprise single slabs (W slab: L 3.1m; H 1.3m at S; H 1.2m at N; T 0.1m; E slab: L 3.45m; H 1.15m at S; H 1.05m at N; T 0.1m), both of which are fitted into natural fissures in the bedrock, have dressed upper edges and tilt to the W. The backstone (L 0.95m; H 1.1m; T 0.12m) is dressed, especially on its the E corner. A stone (L 0.4m; H 0.2m; T 0.1m) c. 1m E of the chamber may be outer-walling. The roof-slab (L 2m; Wth 1.85m at N; Wth 1.80 at S; T 0.1-0.15m) is broken at its E and S extents and while it still sits on top of the tomb it does not appear to be in its original position. Within the chamber, natural bedrock is exposed and field inspection in 1998 noted that stones have been built up inside the chamber and extend to the N of it (L 2.5m). No trace of the mound was visible. An upright stone aligned E-W was recorded at the ESE extent of the wedge tomb and a low upright stone against the outer N face of the backstone was recorded. Modern drystone walling partially closes the S end of the chamber. The other wedge tombs in the group lie c. 330m to the NW (CL004-066001-/CL004-066002-) and c. 490m to the NE (CL004-073----). The following items have been uploaded: CL004-071----_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). CL004-071----_01.jpg View from N CL004-071----_01.jpg View from S Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 14 June 2022