Wedge tomb in Gleninsheen

On a very slight rise in mixed rough pasture and exposed limestone pavement, overlooked by higher land to the S and W and within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL005-227004-). Marked as ‘Cromlech’ on the OS 25-inch plan (1897) and Cassini edition (1920) of the OS 6-inch map. Described by de Valera and Ó Nualláin (1961, 12) as a well-preserved wedge tomb (L 2.8m; Wth 0.95m at NE, 1.3m at SW; H 1.1m at NE, 1.3m at SW) orientated NE-SW and embedded in the centre of a kidney bean-shaped mound (8m NE-SW; 5m NW-SE; H 0.5m). During an inspection in 1998 the SW side of this mound was found exposed as a stony cairn. According to de Valera and Ó Nualláin (ibid.), the NW and SE sides of the tomb each comprised a single limestone slab set on its long edge. The SE sidestone (L 3.4m; H 1.15m at NE, 1.35m at SW; av. T 0.25m) was intact but the NW sidestone (L 3.25m; H 1.1m at NE, 1.3m at SW; av. T 0.25m) had a rectangular piece (L 0.6m; H 0.45m) missing at its top NE corner. Both sidestones’ straight, fairly flat top edges bore signs of dressing and sloped evenly to the SE. A vertical abrasion mark on the inner face of the NW sidestone, 0.8m from its NE end, was thought to possibly indicate the former position of the chamber’s missing NE endstone. Outside the NE end of the NW sidestone was a stone on edge (L 0.5m; H 0.3m; T 0.1m) which may have been a packing stone. This was not located during the 1998 inspection. Extending the line of the SW sidestone to the NE was a low slab (H 0.25). The SW end of the chamber was blocked by two upright slabs, one (H 1.25m; Wth 0.6m; T 0.15m) to the S which was firmly set, and another (H 1.25m; Wth 0.6m; T 0.15m) set askew, tapered to a point and considered to be a possible doorstone. The irregular capstone (L 3.3m, Wth 1.9m at NE, 2.25m at SW; T 0.25m) rested on the sidestones and the S of the two blocking-stones at the SW end of the chamber. Within the chamber were three small packing-stones (H 0.05-0.1m) against the SE sidestone which were not located during the 1998 inspection. Rather, loose flat stones filled the floor of the tomb chamber. Michael Gibbons (2007) discovered rock art (CL005-133002-) on the inner face of the NW sidestone: 4-6 tool-pecked cupmarks (diam. 1-2.5cm; D 1-1.5cm) and another on the inner face of the SE sidestone. The cupmarks were studied by Dr Blaze O’Connor (UCD) who confirmed that they are anthropogenic (ibid.). She found no dating evidence but suggested that the largest cupmark with its slightly pointed base (probably made with a metal tool) is not typical of prehistoric examples, suggesting later activity.  This is the southernmost of three closely associated wedge tombs along with a second (CL005-135----) c. 165m to the NNE and a third (CL005-136001-) c. 100m beyond again. The famous Gleninsheen gorget and a bronze armlet (National Museum of Ireland register 1938:8587) were found c. 485m to the E.   Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Conn Herriott   Date of upload: 29-9-2025