Wedge tomb in Clooncous

In undulating pasture, located on a low rise with good views of Nephin Mountain to W and the Ox Mountain range to NW–N. There is a stream c. 50m to W. A sub-circular cairn (17.2m E–W; 14m N–S; H 1.4m at W, 1.8m at E) covering an orthostatic gallery or chamber (Wth 0.8m), aligned NE–SW. The cairn, which is partly sod-covered, has been truncated by quarrying at S and W. Quarrying of the W side of the cairn has exposed a short section (L 3m) of the gallery. Three contiguous orthostats or large upright boulders (H c. 0.5m) are visible, which form part of the W side of the gallery. The tops of three corresponding orthostats on the E side of the gallery can be glimpsed. Three roof slabs span the width of the gallery between the visible side stones. The gallery is infilled with earth to a height of 0.25m below the capstones. Stones protrude from the perimeter/edge of the cairn in an apparently random manner, but at the N–NE there is the suggestion of a kerb or outer walling. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 9 December 2020

Wedge tomb, dating to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age (c. 2500–1000 BCE). Its orientation and location suggest ritual or ceremonial significance, typical of wedge tombs found in the Atlantic facade region of Ireland.