Wedge tomb in Ardaragh West

On slight rise 100m from shore at SE end Bear Island. Partially collapsed gallery, aligned NE-SW; divided at W end by tall septal stone into short portico (L 1m) and main chamber (L 5m). At S end portico, tall facade or entrance stone; N counterpart rests against septal stone. Two stones, to N and S septal stone, may represent outer-walling. Chamber and part of portico covered by two roofstones. No visible trace of mound. (de Valera and O Nualláin 1982, 36-7, Co. 54) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 See linked document with details from Ruaidhrí de Valera and Seán Ó Nualláin, Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume IV. Counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary. (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1982)

Wedge tomb, dating to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age (c. 2500–1500 BCE). Its architectural features, including the septal stone and portico, reflect a regional tradition of megalithic tomb construction in Ireland.