Poulnabrone dolmen | TravelDojo

The Poulnabrone dolmen is a well-preserved Neolithic portal tomb located in the Burren karst landscape of County Clare, Ireland. It is one of Ireland’s most photographed megalithic monuments and dates to the Neolithic period.

The dolmen consists of upright portal stones supporting a large horizontal capstone and was used as a burial monument; archaeological excavations found human remains and artifacts demonstrating its use in the fourth and third millennia BC. The structure stands in open limestone pavement typical of the Burren.

The monument has been visible in the landscape for millennia and is maintained as an archaeological site with public access and interpretive signage. Conservation focuses on preserving the stone structure and the surrounding karst environment.

Poulnabrone lies on the Burren plateau in County Clare in the province of Munster, accessible by road from nearby villages and within a short drive of the west coast of Ireland.

Date and finds: An archaeological excavation in the 1980s recovered human remains and Neolithic grave goods that date the tomb to the Neolithic period, roughly between 4200 and 2900 BC.

How to Get to Poulnabrone dolmen #

Poulnabrone Dolmen sits in the Burren, County Clare, on the R480 road (the minor road linking Ballyvaughan and the Aillwee Cave area). Drive along the R480 - there is a small car park/layby for visitors near the site; from the car park it’s a short 5-10 minute walk across rough pasture to the dolmen.

There is no regular public bus directly to the monument; most visitors arrive by car from nearby towns in County Clare.

Tips for Visiting Poulnabrone dolmen #

Go at sunrise or late afternoon to avoid the coach tours that arrive midday and to get the best light for photography across the Burren's limestone landscape.
Use the small roadside car park and follow the marked path to the dolmen-there's an interpretation panel on site that explains the excavations and finds, which many visitors overlook.
Combine the visit with a short drive around the Burren to see other megalithic sites and the distinctive karst terrain rather than treating Poulnabrone as a standalone stop.

Best Time to Visit Poulnabrone dolmen #

Late spring through early autumn is the most pleasant time to visit for milder weather and longer daylight; winter is quiet but often windy and wet.

Late spring to early autumn

May-Sep · 10 to 20°C

Longer daylight and generally milder, drier conditions make visiting the exposed dolmen and Burren landscape more pleasant-expect more visitors in summer months.

Shoulder seasons

Mar-Apr, Oct · 6 to 14°C

Cooler, changeable weather with fewer visitors; good for quieter visits but be prepared for wind and rain.

Winter

Nov-Feb · 2 to 10°C

Colder, wetter and windier conditions are common on this exposed west-Ireland site; much quieter but weather can make access and photography more challenging.

Weather & Climate near Poulnabrone dolmen #

Climate

Poulnabrone dolmen's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 3°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1343 mm/year), wettest in November.

Air Quality: AQI 28 Good

Best Time to Visit

JulyJuneAugust

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

26°

Warmest Month

-2°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (138 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

3° – 8°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

138 mm

Rainfall

5.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.0

UV Index

Low

7.9h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

3° – 8°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

101 mm

Rainfall

5.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

9.6h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

4° – 10°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

102 mm

Rainfall

5.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.4

UV Index

Low

11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

5° – 12°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

78 mm

Rainfall

4.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.8

UV Index

Moderate

13.8h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

7° – 15°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

83 mm

Rainfall

4.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.2

UV Index

High

15.7h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

60 Good

Comfort

13°

Feels Like Cool

13°C

Temperature

10° – 17°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

86 mm

Rainfall

4.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.4

UV Index

High

16.7h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

62 Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

12° – 18°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

88 mm

Rainfall

4.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.2

UV Index

High

16.2h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

12° – 18°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

109 mm

Rainfall

4.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.0

UV Index

Moderate

14.6h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (125 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

13°

Feels Like Cool

13°C

Temperature

10° – 16°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

125 mm

Rainfall

4.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.7

UV Index

Moderate

12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (140 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

10°

Feels Like Cool

10°C

Temperature

7° – 13°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

140 mm

Rainfall

5.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.4h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (147 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

5° – 10°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

147 mm

Rainfall

5.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.4h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (146 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

4° – 9°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

146 mm

Rainfall

5.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.0

UV Index

Low

7.3h daylight

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