Gleninsheen (wedge tomb) facts for kids
One of the Gleninsheen wedge tombs in 2016
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 Location in Ireland
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| Location | Rathborney, The Burren |
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| Region | Ireland |
| Coordinates | 53°03′50″N 9°08′58″W / 53.064°N 9.1494°W |
| Type | Wedge tomb |
| History | |
| Periods | late Neolithic/early Bronze Age |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | on private property |
| Public access | Yes |
The Gleninsheen wedge tombs are two very old stone tombs. They are found in a special area of County Clare, Ireland, called the Burren. These tombs were built by people long, long ago. They date back to the late Neolithic (New Stone Age) or early Bronze Age.
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Where to Find the Gleninsheen Tombs
The Gleninsheen tombs are on land that belongs to private owners. They are in a place called Gleninsheen, which is part of the Rathborney area. You can find them not far from the N480 road.
One of the tombs is right next to the road. The other tomb is about 100 meters (about 330 feet) away in a field. It has partly fallen down over time.
Wedge Tombs in County Clare
There are about eighty wedge tombs still standing in County Clare. Many of them are found on Roughan Hill, close to Kilnaboy. These tombs are a special type of ancient burial site.
The Gleninsheen Gorget Discovery
In 1932, something amazing was found near the tombs. A local person discovered a golden neck ornament. It is called the Gleninsheen Gorget. This beautiful piece of gold jewelry is very old. It was made around 800 to 700 BC.
The gorget was hidden in a crack in the limestone rock. Today, you can see it at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin. It was even chosen as one of the "100 Objects" that tell the story of Ireland's history.
What Do Gleninsheen Wedge Tombs Look Like?
The Gleninsheen tombs are shaped like a wedge. This means they are wider at one end and get narrower at the other. The widest part of these tombs faces the southwest. This direction is important because it points towards where the sun sets.
People think the setting sun was very special to the builders of these tombs. It might have had a religious meaning for them.
How Old Are These Ancient Tombs?
No one has dug up (excavated) any wedge tombs in the Burren yet. But experts believe these tombs were built a very long time ago. They are thought to be from around 2300 to 2000 BC. This time period is known as the late Neolithic (New Stone Age) or the early Bronze Age.
Images for kids
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The Gleninsheen Gorget, a golden neck ornament found nearby. It is now in the National Museum of Ireland.
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The northern Gleninsheen wedge tomb, which has partly collapsed.
