Poulnabrone dolmen Archaeological Site

Address: Poulnabrone Dolmen, The Burren, Co. Clare, Ireland

Website: https://www.heritageireland.ie/en/mid-west/poulnabrone/

Hours: Open daily (site accessible 24 hours)

Admission: Free

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.

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.

• 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.