Poulnabrone%20Dolmen
West Ireland | County Clare
Poulnabrone is a classic example of a portal tomb and probably one of the most famous megaliths in Ireland. It is situated on the Burren's limestone pavement just beside road R480 (more or less in half way between Ballyvaughan and Leamaneh). Monument stands in a low circular mound of loose stones, measuring about 10m in diameter. The entrance to a rectangular stone-lined chamber is flanked by two tall portal stones (2.05m and 1.95m), and faces north. Tomb's chamber is covered by a single large roofstone, which is trapezoidal shape and it's 3.90m long and narrows from 2.85m wide at the east to 1.75m at the west. Poulnabrone is one of the few Irish dolmens, which have been archaeologically surveyed. It took place in 1986 during conservation works, when the eastern portal stone had to be replaced because of serious crack. The excavations revealed up to 22 individuals were buried in the chamber - infants, children and adults, both male and female. It is likely that the bones, which were highly fragmented, were initially buried or allowed decompose elsewhere before being transferred to this tomb. The radiocarbon dates from Poulnabrone indicate that the burials were deposited at regular intervals over a period of 600 years between 3800 and 3200 BC. Personal possessions buried with the dead included a polished stone axe, a decorated bone pendant, stone beads, quartz crystals, chert and flint weapons and implements and fragments of pottery (many of these artefacts are on display in the Clare County Museum in Ennis).
- OPENING HOURS AND TICKETS :
- Freely accessible
- CAR PARK :
- Yes
Photos from Poulnabrone%20Dolmen
