Hill-top Cairns and Associated Features in the Burren

Frank Coyne (Aegis Archaeology Ltd.)

Scope of Study

Cairns in the Burren occur both on hilltops and on low-lying ground. The hilltop cairns seem to vary greatly in size and shape, but also in location. Some are located on natural terraces while others crown the exposed summits of this dramatic landscape. In view of the remains on Turlough Hill, this study aims to investigate the cairns in the Burren with a special view to recording the occurrence of associated features such as hut sites, enclosures or other constructions. An important aspect is to investigate to what degree features such as hut sites, walls or enclosures are recurrent features that can be linked to the cairns, or whether the cairns de facto represent isolated features on the hills.

The aim is to see if Turlough Hill is as unique as it seems, or if other hill tops have similar, but maybe more discrete arrangements of prehistoric remains. The study aims to create a database of hill-top cairns in the Burren and a basic record of associated features related to the cairns.

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