Poulnabrone Dolmen, The Burren, Co. Clare.

Seen across the almost lunar landscape of the bare, weathered limestone of the Burren which forms strange shapes and hollows but also hosts a fantastic range of flora and fauna. A unique area of Ireland and the perfect setting for one of Irelands best known portal tombs.


The tomb is box shaped with a steeply angled slab like capstone which is trapezodial in shape. Although the rear of the chamber has collapsed and a possible second capstone lies to the rear of the tomb, the structure is still very dramatic. The tomb was excavated in 1986 and the remains of 22 individuals were found in a disarticulated sate, bones pushed into the natural grykes of the burren bedrock.

The tomb sits perched on a grassy cairn of stones which seperates the tomb from the landscape. The ancient practice of 'wintering' is still part of the seasonal routine, cattle graze the area to prevent the fertile soils becoming overgrown with scrub.

Sunrise in November 2005, shortly before 8am the sun peeks out from over the horizon.

Sunshine after the rain

the broken stone in front of the tomb is actually the original eastern portal stone which was replaced during excavations in 1985/86 due to worsening cracks.

The low cairn upon which it sits may never have been much higher than its present state, though it is now enclosed by a rope barrier which detracts from its wild appearance somewhat. It is advisable to arrive here very early or very late to avoid bus tours.

Early morning in Febraury 2005

Looking through the north facing chamber, late evening November 2005.

Some of the bones found suggest at least one person may have suffered a violent death, a fragment of a stone arrow head was found embedded in the pelvis. No healing took place so this would occured at the time of death though was unlikely the main cause of death.