Cnoc Raithní

Cnoc Raithní is a Bronze Age burial mound on Inisheer island measuring roughly 21 meters across. A central stone chamber with upright slabs rises about 4 feet high and is surrounded by several grave spaces marked with limestone pillars.

The lower section of the mound dates to 2000-1500 BC, while the upper layers hold artifacts from the Early Christian period between the 5th and 8th centuries. This layering shows how a single burial place served multiple generations of the community.

The name comes from the Irish word for rowan tree, reflecting how burial places were reused across different periods. The arrangement of upright stones and vessels shows how burial practices changed over the centuries at this location.

The site is maintained by the national heritage authority and remains open to visitors who can view the stone chambers and limestone pillars. Walking around the mound gives good views of its structure, though visitors should stay outside the marked areas to protect the site.

The mound lay buried under sand for nearly 1,000 years until a powerful storm uncovered it in 1885. This sudden discovery allowed archaeologists to excavate what had been hidden since medieval times.

Location: County Galway

Operator: Office of Public Works

GPS coordinates: 53.06502,-9.52322

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:23