Midden in Gooreen

On a small headland on the N shoreline of Omey Island, c. 25m to the NE of another midden (GA021-044----). On initial inspection in May 2014, this midden (L 4.4m), aligned NW-SE , was clearly visible as a dark layer in the dune face. It was composed mainly of limpet shells and two pieces of bone were noted (see GA021-039001-). Traces of an unclassified structure (int. Wth 2m), defined by two walls emerging from the dune face, were evident at the SE end of the midden. The walls were constructed of granite rubble boulders and the E wall (exposed H 1.1m; Wth 0.5m) was mortared and traces of plaster were visible on its internal face. The W wall (exposed H 0.4m; Wth 0.4m) was less well preserved and collapsed material from it was visible at the base of the dune. The walls did not appear to be parallel to one another; the W wall was diverging northwards away from the E wall. Another structure was also visible emerging from the dune face c. 7m further to the SE. An L-shaped section of walling, constructed of granite rubble boulders, spalls and mortar, was evident. One section (L 1.7m; exposed H 1.2m) was aligned NW-SE and the other (exposed L 0.8m; H 1.1m), extending off its NW end, was aligned NE-SW. It was not possible to determine the width of the walls as both were backed by the dune. The area to the E of this structure was also strewn with freshly collapsed sod and boulders. Both of these structures may be the remains of houses, possibly of a similar date to those shown c. 90m to the SE on the 1839 edition of the OS 6-inch map. On re-inspection of this area in June 2022, a further section of the midden (L 3.66m) was exposed c. 5m to the W of that noted above. It was similarly composed, mainly of limpets. Some burrowing by rabbits was evident at the base of the horizon. Tumbled walling to its W may have been the remains of another structure. The following images has been uploaded: GA021-039002-_01 View from N - taken 15/06/2022 GA021-039002-_02 View from NE - taken 15/06/2022 Updated by: Olive Alcock Date of revised upload: 16 June 2022