The Poulnabrone Dolmen is one of Ireland’s most famous dolmens! If you want to discover traces of Irish history dating back over 5,800 years, then consider a stopover in the Burren, County Clare. The dolmen stands there, lost in the rocky mountains of Aillwee, and has faced the rigors of time for thousands of years. Don’t hesitate to visit: it’s free and the dolmen is simply stunning!
View of the Poulnabrone dolmen – © MNStudio
If you love history, prehistory and relics with the charm of another time, then a visit to the Dolmen de Poulnabrone is a must.
This tourist attraction, impressive to say the least, is a reminder of just how rich Ireland is when it comes to megalithic archaeological sites. This site is a perfect example of this, and is one of the most beautiful dolmens in Ireland.
It’s an incredible sight, straight from the depths of time.
Firmly planted on a stony mound, the Poulnabrone dolmen is easily accessible. All you have to do is wander around the Burren, through its rocky landscapes and deserted moors.
The dolmen stands in the heart of the region. It’s free to visit, and offers a spectacle of serious, mysterious charm.
The latter is protected by a thin security cordon, warning visitors not to go any closer to the megaliths. Here, touching is out of the question: the site is fragile, and should only be admired. But don’t worry: the show is breathtaking!
Structurally, the Dolmen is made up of 7 imposing stone blocks, culminating at a height of 2 metres. Special mention should be made of the “top table” that covers the whole thing: its rectangular shape is particularly rare, and would weigh several tons!
Dolmen de Poulnabrone – © Patryk Kosmider
Although the site is still particularly mysterious to researchers (especially when it comes to the construction methods of such a dolmen), the edifice has nevertheless revealed some of its secrets.
Starting with its origins! The dolmen is thought to be over 5,800 years old. It is thought to have been built as a funeral altar for important people of the time: numerous bones and human remains have been found, proving that more than 22 bodies were burned here over a 600-year period (3200 to 3800 BC).
According to archaeologists, this tomb would have held the remains of 16 to 22 adults, as well as 6 children and a newborn.
But this megalithic monument wasn’t just reserved for funerary rites: according to researchers’ theories, the Dolmen de Poulnabrone was occasionally used for sacred ceremonies and symbolic rites…
For the visit, prefer early morning. You’ll have plenty of time to admire and discover it, take a few photos and set off to discover the Burren‘s other treasures.
Avoid at all costs certain hours when busloads of tourists pour around the site. (This is a major tourist attraction in Ireland, and it’s best to admire the building in peace and quiet to really enjoy it!) Avoid the“tourist hours“, and you’ll enjoy an exceptional experience! It’s like being alone, far from the world and civilization: just you and this dolmen, a precious testimony to Irish history!
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