Antiquities In Clare
Co. Clare is rich in megalithic remains of various kinds. The majority of the dolmens stretch in a broad band from the Burren in a south-easterly direction to Slieve Bernagh. The monuments lie inland rather than on the coast. They are most abundant in the Burren, in the eastern portion of the county. The types vary, but the one most frequently met with is in the form of a stone box composed of four or more slabs with a cover. Mr. T. J. Westropp, who has described the megalithic monuments of Clare (Hotels, Clare, Ireland), computed the total number at 172, including 84 dolmens and large cists.The decorated High Crosses to be seen in this province number some twenty-one. They are distributed among the counties of Clare (Accommodation, Clare, Ireland), Kerry, and Tipperary. None are recorded from the counties of Cork or Waterford. Munster contains the largest number of forts of all the Irish provinces. The number has been estimated at 12,232: there are 7593 forts in Connaught; 4651 in Leinster; and 4283 in Ulster. It is, however, certain that the actual number of forts in each of the provinces exceeds these totals.
One of the most interesting is the cross of Dysert O’Dea, near Corofin, Co. Clare. It stands about 150 yards east of the church of Dysert Tola, on a small mound, and springs from a quadrangular base, upon which is a large block which supports the shaft, head, and cap. The base of the cross is carved with inscriptions stating that it was newly repaired by Michael O’Dea in 1683, and re-erected by Francis Hutchcson Synge in 1871. The north side of the base is carved with a figure holding a crosier of the usual Irish form, while two other figures hold a large tau-shaped crosier. On the cast face of the shaft is the effigy of St Tola wearing a mitre and holding a crosier; on the head of the cross is a representation of the Crucifixion. The north and south sides of the shaft, and the west face, are decorated with various zoo-morphic, interlaced, and linear, patterns.
A cross that deserves mention is the curious tau-shaped example at Kilnaboy, about three and a half miles north-west of Corofin, Co. Clare (Self Catering, Clare, Ireland). This T-shaped cross, measuring 2 1/2 ft. in height, is fixed into a boulder. Two remarkable faces are carved on its upper surface, one on each side of the head.
