Wedge tomb in Ballynahown

In an oval hollow on a high and level karstic plateau with restricted views but visibility of the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands and within a large multiperiod field system (CL004-027001-). It is one of four wedge tombs (CL004-073----, CL004-071----, CL004-066002- and CL004-066001-) 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 (L c. 3.4m) which rises in height toward the front. There are traces of a cairn to its E and probably outer walling to the W of the chamber. It was recorded in the Megalithic Survey as CL. 44 (De Valera and Ó Nualláin 1961, 39-40) (although some of the orientations cited in the written description are incorrect). The W side of the chamber comprises a single slab (L 3.45m at base; H 1.25m at S; H 1.1m at N; T 0.15m) with a dressed and straight upper edge. A displaced slab (L 2.4m; T 0.1-0.15m) at the E end of the chamber overlies broken slabs which may have formed the S side of the chamber. A second displaced slab to the W of it (L 2.25m; T 0.1-0.15m) has similar dimensions and both slabs may have formed part of the roof. Two transverse stones with a gap between them (L 0.4m) cross the back end of the chamber. The outer stone (L 2.3m; T 0.1m; H 1.05m) leans to the E and has a broken top edge and the other stone is partially concealed (est. L 1.25m). A stone (0.45m; H 0.12m; T 0.1m) behind the outer N endstone at the rear of the chamber may be a buttress and another stone (L 0.75m; H 0.3m; T 0.1m) at the NW end of the chamber may not be original. Remains of outer-walling are visible along the W extent of the chamber. The longest stone (L 1.45m; H 0.12; T 0.05m) is parallel with the W sidestone and this line is continued to the N by a second stone (L 0.3m; H 0.1m; T 0.05m). Smaller stones beside this outer-walling may be further remains of outer-walling to the W of the chamber or may be cairn stones. A low stone wall (H 0.4m) surrounds the tomb SE to N; a gap in this wall at NW is lined by two set slabs which may have been reused from the wedge tomb. The other wedge tombs in the group lie c. 480m to the SW (CL004-066001-/CL004-066002-) and c. 470m to the SSW (CL004-071----). The following items have been uploaded: CL004-073----_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). CL004-073----_01.jpg View from S Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 14 June 2022