Clare Island Survey — History and Archueoloyy. Q 49 



The legend, however, is very probably right, for Norse, Danes, and other sea- 

 rovers probably occupied so convenient a harbour and stronghold, " high on the 

 beach their galleys drew," and lodged their plunder in the Dun. 



Mr. Tim Toole " Austin "' (to whom I am indebted for much information, 

 kind attention, and hospitality when he went with me over the south-western 

 quarter of the island) tells me a curious family tradition. His grand-uncle, 

 about a century ago, found a deposit of treasure, a vessel with lumps of gold, 

 no ornaments being remembered, at the foot of the knoll, south from the gate- 

 way of the fort. He sold the rough gold for £40, but was told it was " worth 

 thousands." It greatly supports this family statement that similar plain 

 ingots of gold were certainly found among the heap of ornaments of the " great 

 Clare gold find " near Moghane Fort, Co. Clare, 1854. 2 (Plates VII, VIII.) 



Dun Ballyheek. — It is very unfortunate that the next two forts have 

 been nearly swept away. The dangerous precipitous chasm of " Ooghmore " 

 yawned, a clanger to men and a constant death-trap for sheep and cattle, close 

 beside them. The community determined to build a wall round its edge, and 

 used the convenient store of material in the neighbouring dims. The same 

 has been done elsewhere for less urgent reasons, in mere wantonness and 

 idleness, and the result is always regrettable. 



The Dun of Ballyheer occupied a low, craggy knoll with a flat top. The 

 wall closely conformed to the edge, and is still traceable. Fortunately the base 

 blocks of its gateway were too large for convenient removal. The plan shows 

 the irregular outline of a garth 117 feet east and west, 40 feet to 60 feet wide 

 north and south. No sites are apparent, but a hollow runs along the eastern 

 reach of the north side. The gateway was of large blocks ; it faced the east, and 

 a single stone, 7 feet 6 inches long, passed through the entire depth of the wall 

 to form the base of the south pier, being at present 3 feet 3 inches high over 

 the debris and 16 inches to 18 inches thick. The northern side had 

 two blocks 3 feet 8 inches by 29 inches by 12 inches and 2 feet 

 7 inches by 29 inches by 15 inches, leaving a passage 3 feet 4 inches wide. 

 Most of the wall was 6 feet thick, with base blocks 2 feet to 2 feet 6 inches 

 long, but very little trace remains even of the foundation. (Plate VII.) 



Dun Ooghmore. — In the angle formed by the main cliff and the great 

 chasm at the east of Ooghmore was a small, strong fort. It had a dry-stone 

 wall, nearly straight, about 78 feet long, built against a crag 6 feet to 9 feet 

 high, and along a ledge. The enclosure is 36 feet deep, and triangular. Part 



1 The addition of a parent's name is usual in the western counties where the personal name is 

 common. 



2 Proe. R.I. A., vol. xxvii, p. 219. Dr. Browne heard of a more recent treasure find in the 

 Dun on Inishturk. 



R.I.A. PKOC, VOL. XXXI. Q 2 



