Wedge tomb in Poulbaun (burren By.)

In elevated rocky pasture, on an E-facing slope near the E edge of a large limestone plateau, with a sheer precipice c. 170m to the E, and within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL005-160001-). Not shown on the 1839 or 1916 OS 6-inch maps. Described by de Valera and Ó Nualláin (1961, 9-10) as a ‘wedge-shaped gallery grave’. The following details are from that survey.   A wedge tomb orientated N-S comprising the remains of two large side sidestones, a backstone and a broken doorstone defining a rectangular chamber (L c. 3.2m; Wth c. 1.6m) set within a low mound (c. 7.5m N-S; c. 5.5m E-W). The E sidestone consists of two large fragments of the same slab (L 4.3m). The S fragment is in-situ (L 2.12m; H 1.15-1.35m). Its top edge slopes down to the N and is dressed. The N fragment has collapsed. The W side of the chamber is composed of two fragments of stone, representing the remains of a single cracked slab, the N fragment (L 2.3m; H 1.1m; T 0.1m) being slightly larger than the S fragment (L 1.65m; H 0.3m; T 0.1m). The top edges of both stones are badly broken. The backstone (L 1.5m; H 1.2m; T 0.2m) is at the N end of the tomb. Its top and W edges are dressed. The S end of the chamber is defined by two low stones that taken together represent part of a broken doorstone (L 1.1m; H 0.12m; T 0.08m). The chamber is parallel sided, being higher at the S (H 1.35m) and lower towards the N (H 1.2m). Three low stones (H 0.05m) set beyond the S end of the E sidestone may be packing or the remains of outer walling. Several partly concealed slabs (max. dims. L 1m; Wth 0.75m) lie outside the chamber and may be remnants of the capstone.    Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Eve Campbell   Date of upload: 30 September 2025     See linked document with details from Ruaidhrí de Valera and Seán Ó Nualláin, Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume I. County Clare. (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1961). Date of upload: 24 December 2011