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'Altoir Ultach' : Wedge Tomb

TownlandBallycroum
CountyClare
Grid RefR 543 885
Longitude8° 40' 47.67" W
Latitude52° 56' 43.43" N
Nearest TownTulla (10.1 Km)
OS Sheet58
UTM zone29U
UTM x521508.50317668
UTM y5866244.5026403
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Visit Notes

Sunday, 12th October 2003

Now, this is an odd one. Only half of this structure still exists in any recognisable form. One large stone, reminiscent of a portal stone stands in front of the gallery remains. These are confusing.

An element of double walling is visible, but this one just doesn't feel like a wedge tomb to me. The gallery actually tapers to a fine point and the width of the front slab seems far too wide for the monument to have had proportions that would fall into the range normally associated with wedge tombs.

The walk up to these three monuments is extreme! As the crow flies they are about 1km from the nearest road (to the north). However, the route itself is devilishly hard going. It starts off with a simple stroll across two fields at a gentle climb. This then turns into a winding track that rises nearly 200m vertically in just 300m horizontally. It took me 45 minutes to reach the top - coming down was a lot quicker though!

The effort is well rewarded though with great scenery and the best tomb here, Tober Grania (County Clare) is splendid! This one, on the other hand, is most odd.

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Random Gazetteer

A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments

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6 Km (NE) there is a Wedge Tomb at Knockbeha Mountain.
500 m (NE) there is a Kist at Ballycroum.
8 Km (SSW) there is a Wedge Tomb at Maryfort or Lismeehan.
0 m (W) there is a Wedge Tomb at Ballycroum.
8.5 Km (S) there is a Portal Tomb at Clogher.

A Selection of Other Wedge Tombs

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