To the south of the village is an upland area of great interest, scattered with
stone forts, megalithic tombs and remains of ancient churches.
Between Carran and Killinaboy, are the megalithic tombs of Parknabinnia.
The largest is a wedge shaped gallery grave in the remains of a cairn. A number
more gallery tombs lie near by.
(Poll na Brón - hole of the quern)
A magnificent portal dolmen dated from 2,500 B.C. The capstone projects forward
over the entrance or portal and the tomb is surrounded by a low circular cairn, 9m in diameter.
(Gleann Insin - Glen of the little island,)
Stands on the slopes of the Aillwee mountain.
It is one of the best preserved wedge tombs in this area, famous for the gold
collar or gorget discovered nearby in 1930 by a boy hunting rabbits. The collar
was placed in the National Museum in 1934 and is recognised as one of the finest
bronze age artefacts we have.
A wedge shaped gallery grave near Magh Adhair.
(Diarmuid and Grainne's Bed)
Slieve Callan (Mount Callan), lying to the east of Milltown Malbay, is the
highest point in west Clare at 423 m and provides extensive views of West Clare.
A wedge-shaped gallery grave can be found at the foot of the mountain at
Knocknalassa. Near the summit is the site where Lughnasa (August or Harvest)
was celebrated in past times.
Legend has it that Conan, a comic anti-hero of the Fianna, is buried under
Leacht Chonáin, (a nearby cairn), together with the key to the church of Killstephen.
A megalith or large stone tomb lies besides the Galway Road
in Oranmore. Classed as a boulder dolem, this structure has been dated to 2,000 B.C.
There are several prehistoric gallery graves situated in the area around Tulla.
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