Clare lslmul Survey. 



2 

 HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY. 



By T. J. WESTEOPP, M.A. 

 Plates I-X. 



Read November 13. Published December 21, 1911. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 



1. Introduction, 1 



2. Clare Island, 11 



3. Inishturk, 45 



4. Caher Island 52 



PAGE 



5. Inishbofin, 56 



6. Inishark, 72 



7. Spectral Islands, .... 74 

 Note.— West Murrisk, ... 78 



1. INTRODUCTION. 



When the Clare Island Committee prepared for the survey of that area, 

 and the subject of Archaeology fell to my lot, the subject at first seemed 

 to me to be a field likely to yield but little result. The islands were 

 supposed to be well known and to have been examined by careful workers ; 

 the remains on Clare Island had been visited by several antiquaries, and 

 yet the results were scanty. Engaged on the rich fields of north Kerry, 

 north-west County Clare, and the Aran Isles, the task of recording the scanty 

 remains seemed a light one, but became very different in its aspect after 

 three visits. Despite every care, besides help from the observations of 

 Mr. R. Lloyd Praeger, Dr. George Fogerty, R.N., and others, I fear even 

 now that individual remains, though probably none of any size or importance, 

 may have escaped my search, especially in the network of low crags and 

 hollows in Inishbofin. Our survey did not extend to Inishark ; but, for 

 completeness, I include what I can gather about that islet. It is hoped 

 that the present survey may at least preserve a careful account of the 

 ancient remains in these islands, Clare, Turk, Caher, and Bofin, so little 

 known and so inaccurately described by my predecessors. Coming, as it 

 does, before these places have been modernized by travelling facilities and 

 the consequent influx of visitors, it may have a record value outside its 

 present use. Besides the actual survey of the islands, I made a careful 



R.I. A. PROC, VOL. XXXI. A 2 



