Gleninsheen

Gleninsheen is a megalithic tomb built with large limestone slabs arranged in a trapezoidal chamber, with its entrance facing southwest. The site actually contains two structures, with a second partially collapsed tomb located about 100 meters to the northeast.

The tomb was built around 2500 BC during the late Neolithic period and ranks among roughly eighty wedge tombs found across the region. Its use continued over many generations, showing its lasting importance to successive communities.

The name Gleninsheen comes from Irish words meaning glen and fairy host, reflecting how the landscape held spiritual importance for early communities. People returned to this place repeatedly over centuries, showing it served purposes beyond burial alone.

The site sits south of Ballyvaughan in The Burren region and is reachable by car via the R480 road. The location is open year-round, and a simple walking path leads directly to the tomb itself.

A bronze neck ornament called the Gleninsheen Gorget was discovered near the tomb and dates to around 800 to 700 BC. This precious find suggests the site retained ritual importance for people living many centuries after the tomb's construction.