Tulla Upper is a barony of County Clare, in the historical province of Munster (Irish: An Tulach Uachtarach), covering 392 km² of land. The barony records 358 NMS archaeological sites and 33 NIAH listed buildings, placing it at around the 10th percentile among 280 ROI baronies for sites per km². This means it is in the bottom fifth of all baronies for sites per km². Dated archaeological evidence runs from the Neolithic through to the Modern, spanning 8 of 9 archaeological periods, placing the barony in the 76th percentile among 280 ROI baronies for chronological depth. This means it is in the top third of all baronies for chronological depth. The largest dated subset of recorded sites dates to the Iron Age. Logainm flags 34 placenames in the barony as carrying a recognised heritage root; the largest share — around 44% — are names associated with early Christian church and monastic foundations.
Heritage at a glance
Percentile rankings throughout this profile compare each barony only against the other 279 Republic of Ireland baronies.
The recorded heritage of Tulla Upper
The National Monuments Service Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) is the statutory inventory of archaeological sites for the Republic of Ireland, maintained by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Sites recorded here include earthworks, ringforts, megalithic tombs, ecclesiastical remains, and post-medieval features; not every record is legally protected, but each is registered as a monument of archaeological interest.
The National Monuments Service records 358 archaeological sites in Tulla Upper, putting it at the 10th percentile among 280 ROI baronies for sites per km². This means it is in the bottom fifth of all baronies for sites per km². A sparse recorded total of this kind in Ireland often reflects survey priority rather than genuine absence of past activity. Protection coverage is near-universal — 349 sites (98%) fall within a recorded monument protection zone, indicating an extensively surveyed landscape. The record is dominated by defensive sites — ringforts, enclosures, hillforts, and stone forts (165 sites, 46% of the total), with ecclesiastical sites forming a substantial secondary presence (75 sites, 21%). The most diagnostically specific type is Ringfort – rath (42 records, 12% of the barony's NMS total) — compared to an ROI average of 20% across all baronies where this type occurs. Ringfort – rath is an earthen ringfort enclosed by a bank and external ditch — the most common Early Medieval farmstead, broadly dated 500–1000 AD. The broader 'Enclosure' classification — which catches unclassified ringforts and field enclosures — accounts for a further 85 records (24%) and reflects the difficulty of sub-classifying degraded earthworks from surface evidence alone. Across the barony's 392 km², this gives a recorded density of 0.91 sites per km².
Most common monument types
Hover or tap a monument type to see its definition.
| Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Enclosure a banked or ditched feature of uncertain type, used as a catch-all where the original function cannot be determined from surface evidence | 85 |
| Ringfort – rath an earthen ringfort enclosed by a bank and external ditch — the most common Early Medieval farmstead, broadly dated 500–1000 AD | 42 |
| Ritual site – holy well a well or spring traditionally associated with a saint, often credited with healing properties; many trace earlier ritual origins but devotion is documented from the medieval period onwards | 25 |
| Children's burial ground an unconsecrated medieval and early-modern burial ground for unbaptised or stillborn children, often called a cillín or ceallúnach | 25 |
| Standing stone a deliberately set upright stone, used variously as a Bronze/Iron Age burial marker, route marker or commemorative monument | 13 |
| Castle – tower house a fortified residential tower of four or five storeys, mostly built by lords in the 15th and 16th centuries and often within a defended bawn | 10 |
Chronological distribution
The dated archaeological record for Tulla Upper spans from the Neolithic through to the Modern, with activity attested across 8 of 9 archaeological periods. This is the 76th percentile across ROI baronies for chronological depth — an above-average span. Every period from earliest to latest is represented in the record — an unbroken sequence of dated activity across the full chronological span. Activity concentrates most heavily in the Iron Age (108 sites, 39% of dated material), with the Early Medieval forming a secondary peak (84 sites, 31%). A further 83 recorded sites (23% of the overall NMS register for the barony) carry no period attribution — appearing as 'Unknown' in the bar chart below. This typically reflects either records that pre-date the standardised period vocabulary or sites awaiting specialist dating review, rather than a genuine absence of chronological evidence.
Sample of recorded monuments
Show 25 sample monuments (of 358 total)
A representative sample of 25 recorded monuments drawn from the barony’s 358 total NMS entries. Sites within a recorded monument protection zone and rarer site types are prioritised so the list shows a meaningful cross-section rather than only the most common type. Each entry shows the official Sites and Monuments Record reference number and the description published by the National Monuments Service.
Mound
On a S-facing slope, in a small woodland area, enclosed by rough pasture. There are potentially good views from this elevated area E-SW, although these are inhibited by woodland in all directions and by a similar…
On a S-facing slope, in a small woodland area, enclosed by rough pasture. There are potentially good views from this elevated area E-SW, although these are inhibited by woodland in all directions and by a similar mound-like feature to W, on the opposite side of a tertiary road. According to local information and folklore, this mound and that to W, are both referred to as ‘forts’. The tertiary road extends (long-axis N-S) between these two mound-like features, where it is cut (D c. 1.2m) below their base. This mound E of the road is depicted as a substantial, roughly circular scrub area on the 1842 edition of the OS 6-inch map. The mound is defined by steeply sloping sides (Wth 9.25m; H 3.5m) and the top is a flat oval area (14m NNE-SSW; 9m WNW-ESE) which may have been utilised as a monument. According to local information, a significant assemblage named the Gorteenreagh Hoard was found three fields to SSW, on the opposite side of the tertiary road. This was found in 1948 by a farmer and is a collection of jewellery, thought to have been for a single individual (Cahill 1997, 84). It consists of a gold collar, two hair ornaments known as lock-rings, two bracelets and a small dress or sleeve fastener (ibid). These are examples of Later Bronze Age goldwork and the pair of lock-rings in particular are of the finest known in Ireland (ibid). The mound to the W, indicated on the 1842 OS 6-inch map with a dotted line, appears to be a naturally occurring mound.
The following imag…
Water mill – unclassified
On an elevated area, immediately above the Magherabaun River, in the angle of a meander, on the E-side of the watercourse. The ground slopes up steeply to ENE from this location and a waterfall is adjacent to W, which…
On an elevated area, immediately above the Magherabaun River, in the angle of a meander, on the E-side of the watercourse. The ground slopes up steeply to ENE from this location and a waterfall is adjacent to W, which discharges into Poulawillin. This is depicted as a building named ‘Poulawillin Mill (in ruins)’ on the 1842 edition of the OS 6-inch map, indicating that it had gone out of use and was probably abandoned by this time. It is not visible at ground level. A meander of the river to W of the current course, appears to have been the main river channel, as shown on the 1842 edition of the OS 6-inch map. It is shown as having shifted to the current channel from the OS 25-inch map (1888-1913) onwards. The old channel fed back into the current channel immediately below the waterfall, via a deeply incised outlet. The waterfall is formed by limestone rock formations which are naturally shaped by the fluvial action of the river. There is a large flat-faced limestone rock abutment on the W side of the current channel and a craggy abutment to the E side, having a distinct overhang. The river bank downstream of the waterfall is formed by a high limestone rock-face to W and by a more uniform, yet quite steep earthen slope, to E. There are various in-river limestone rock formations immediately downstream of the waterfall and these all appear to be naturally formed. A large tree has fallen across the river channel below these rock formations. On inspection in 2018, it was not p…
House – 17th century
Situated on a hill overlooking 'Fortane Castle' (CL027-036—-) and Castle Lough to the NW. A five-bay house with a central porch facing SE. A small one-bay extension is located at the back of the N side. The building…
Situated on a hill overlooking 'Fortane Castle' (CL027-036—-) and Castle Lough to the NW. A five-bay house with a central porch facing SE. A small one-bay extension is located at the back of the N side. The building is partly covered with ivy. The windows at the front are sash windows, the two outer ones are missing. There is a farmyard and some adjoining buildings to the NW. Weir (1986, 129-30) describes both the external and internal features. The roof is of corrugated asbestos and there are four chimneys (not 3 as in Weir's illustration).
Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ines Hagen
Date of upload: 11 December 2018
Round tower
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To…
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email nmarchive@chg.gov.ie.
Standing stone – pair
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To…
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email nmarchive@chg.gov.ie.
Henge
In improved pasture, at the ESE-end of a gently undulating ridge (long-axis c. E-W) with reasonable views of surrounding landscape. Listed as 'Enclosure' in the SMR (1992) and the RMP (1996). Depicted as a large…
In improved pasture, at the ESE-end of a gently undulating ridge (long-axis c. E-W) with reasonable views of surrounding landscape. Listed as 'Enclosure' in the SMR (1992) and the RMP (1996). Depicted as a large circular enclosure (diam. c. 50m) on the 1840 edition of the OS 6-inch map and as a slightly smaller enclosure (c. 40m NW-SE; c. 35m NE-SW) on the OS 25-inch map. The enclosure is not depicted on the 1921 edition of the OS 6-inch map, suggesting that it had been levelled by the early 20th century. In 1997 a very broad low bank (Wth 9-13m) was noted by staff of the North Munster Project of the Discovery Programme giving an overall diam. of c. 52m. Inspection in 2017 revealed an oval area (32m N-S; 28m E-W) defined by a scarp (Wth 8m; H 0.25m) NE-E-SE with very little trace SE-S-WSW. There is an internal scarp (Wth 10m; H 0.4m) WSW-N, where it falls from an area of rock outcrop on the exterior, down into the W sector of the interior which is dish-shaped. The possible remains of an entrance (Wth c. 6m) are at W. Four megalithic tombs (CL035-009—, CL035-013002-, CL035-015—-, CL035-011—-) are situated within a 270m radius to E, ESE, SE and NW and several other similar megalithic monuments are located within the wider vicinity.
Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Alison McQueen
Date of upload: 7 November 2017
Megalithic tomb – portal tomb
In an elevated area of deciduous woodland, overlooking lower ground to E and SE. This portal tomb appears to survive in a slightly more collapsed state than as described in previous accounts by Westropp (1902-04,…
In an elevated area of deciduous woodland, overlooking lower ground to E and SE. This portal tomb appears to survive in a slightly more collapsed state than as described in previous accounts by Westropp (1902-04, 117-18) and De Valera and Ó Nualláin (1961, 78-9). Not depicted on OS historic mapping. A large, collapsed megalithic tomb (c. 5m NW-SE; c. 4m NE-SW; H c. 2m) (long-axis NW-SE) consisting of moss-covered limestones. The capstone (L 3.75m; Wth 2.8m; T 1.5m) is resting on one flat limestone (L 1.7m NW-SE; Wth 1.6m NE-SW; T 0.25m) at the SE end and is elevated 0.6m above ground level at the NW end. There is a flat stone at WNW (L 2.1m NW-SE; Wth 1.65m NE-SW; T 0.2m) and at N (L 2m NW-SE; Wth 1.3m NE-SW; T 0.2m) which are partially under the capstone. Two short upright stones and several other stones are also beneath, yet difficult to see. There is a possible collapsed opening at NW. An ivy-clad tree is abutting to SSW and it appears to be growing out of a natural erratic which has split into four parts. There are clusters of glacial erratics visible on this knoll to S, SE and E, with a very large cluster noted c. 40m to SE.
The following items have been uploaded:
CL035-037—-_01.pdf Details from Ruaidhrí de Valera and Seán Ó Nualláin, Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume I. County Clare. (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1961)
CL035-037—-_01.jpg From NE. General view of megalithic tomb.
CL035-037—-_02.jpg From NW. General view of megalithic tomb….
House – 18th/19th century
On an elevated area, to the immediate E of a N-S tertiary road. Listed as 'House – 17th century (possible)' in the SMR (1992) and the RMP (1996). A late 18th/early 19th century four-bay, two-storey structure with a…
On an elevated area, to the immediate E of a N-S tertiary road. Listed as 'House – 17th century (possible)' in the SMR (1992) and the RMP (1996). A late 18th/early 19th century four-bay, two-storey structure with a slate roof and entrance driveway extending to SSW. Depicted and named ‘Derrymore House’ on all historic OS mapping. This building is described in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (www.buildingsofireland.ie) where a date range of 1780-1820 is given. Weir (1999, 101) describes it as ‘17th or 18th century’ although the earliest date given later in his description is 1788, when a Tom Steele is mentioned as being born in the house. There is no reference to any 17th-century date and the architecture of the house is late 18th/early 19th century. There are outbuildings to the immediate NNE, although these are thought by the present owner to be contemporary with the house. In December 2016 the Local Authority added the house to the Record of Protected Structures (RPS No. 82). Note: There is another 'Derrymore House' in Clogher Td., O'Callaghan's Mills (CL036-002—-) some 3km to the E.
The following image has been uploaded:
CL035-124—-_01.jpg View of front elevation.
Compiled by: Mary Tunney, Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly
Date of upload: 14 January 2019
Well
In gently undulating, rough pasture with reasonable views in all directions. According to Ua Cróinín and Breen (1997, vol. 6, no. 116), ‘a small, circular well can be seen…to SE [of Lissofin Castle (CL035-055002-)]’.…
In gently undulating, rough pasture with reasonable views in all directions. According to Ua Cróinín and Breen (1997, vol. 6, no. 116), ‘a small, circular well can be seen…to SE [of Lissofin Castle (CL035-055002-)]’. Depicted and named ‘Castle Well’ on 1840 and 1921 edition OS 6-inch map. According to local information this was a spring that rose from a naturally formed fissure in the limestone bedrock. Not visible at ground level. The well was blocked up and the area backfilled within the last twenty years (local information). A slight depression is evident on the ground surface at this location and is surrounded by a small thicket of mature thorn trees. It is understood to have been used as a draw-well by the castle dwellers and more recently by the McNamara’s farm adjacent to SW (local information). The bawn (CL035-055001-) is located c. 20m to WNW and the remains of Lissofin Castle (CL035-055002-) are located c. 35m to WNW.
Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Alison McQueen
Date of upload: 9 January 2018
Souterrain
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To…
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email nmarchive@chg.gov.ie.
Cairn – unclassified
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To…
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email nmarchive@chg.gov.ie.
Inscribed stone
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To…
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email nmarchive@chg.gov.ie.
Structure – peatland
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To…
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email nmarchive@chg.gov.ie.
House – indeterminate date
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To…
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email nmarchive@chg.gov.ie.
Road – class 1 togher
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To…
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email nmarchive@chg.gov.ie.
Ritual site – holy tree/bush
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To…
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email nmarchive@chg.gov.ie.
Penitential station
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To…
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email nmarchive@chg.gov.ie.
Burial
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To…
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email nmarchive@chg.gov.ie.
Furnace
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To…
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email nmarchive@chg.gov.ie.
Metalworking site
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To…
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email nmarchive@chg.gov.ie.
Cross-slab (present location)
Affixed to a rubble stone wall beside a holy well (CL035-157—-) and overshadowed by trees. Situated c. 45m to S of ecclesiastical enclosure (CL035-022001-) containing a medieval church (CL035-022002-), an early…
Affixed to a rubble stone wall beside a holy well (CL035-157—-) and overshadowed by trees. Situated c. 45m to S of ecclesiastical enclosure (CL035-022001-) containing a medieval church (CL035-022002-), an early 18th-century church (CL035-022003-), graveyard (CL035-022004-) and a castle site (CL035-022005-). In good condition, albeit covered in a light algae due to its location in shade, under tree cover. An ex-situ cross-slab (H 0.95m; min. Wth 0.2m; max. Wth 0.39m; T 0.08m) is set in an upright position and is slightly wider at top than at base, having a crude trapezoidal shape in plan. The decorative elements consist of a Maltese cross with four deeply incised shafts, with the lower shaft resembling more of a barbed arrow shape. The Maltese cross is enclosed in a circle, the lower portion of which is incomplete, whereby the arc turns to left and right, forming two scrolls. These scrolls continue down the narrower portion of the slab, where three further pairs of scrolls are formed either side of a central linear shaft which is very thin. A number of geometric shapes in the lower right-hand corner may represent mason’s marks. The original location of the cross-slab is unknown but it may have been associated with the nearby ecclesiastical complex.
The following images have been uploaded:
CL035-158—-_01 Cross-slab affixed to wall adjacent to holy well (CL035-157—-) from NNW.
CL035-158—-_02 Front elevation of cross-slab affixed to wall of holy well from N….
Enclosure – large enclosure
Enclosing the crown of a rounded hillock, in rough pasture, overlooking low-lying bog and gently undulating landscape SE-NW, forestry NW-SE and undulating pasture NE-SE, including Cloondanagh Lough to ESE. There are…
Enclosing the crown of a rounded hillock, in rough pasture, overlooking low-lying bog and gently undulating landscape SE-NW, forestry NW-SE and undulating pasture NE-SE, including Cloondanagh Lough to ESE. There are reasonable views in all directions, although inhibited by forestry to N. The monument is not depicted on OS historic mapping, although there is an arrangement of field boundaries forming a suboval area in this vicinity on the 1842 edition of the OS 6-inch map and the 1899 OS 25-inch map. It was identified through analysis of Digital Globe satellite imagery (Digital Globe 2012). The monument consists of a substantial subcircular area (130m ENE-WSW; 123m NNW-SSE) defined by the remains of a levelled scarp (Wth 1.7-7.5m; H 0.4-0.8m) NW-W, which is visible spanning three adjoining fields. The scarp (Wth 3m; H 0.55m) is best preserved N-SSE, (in the field to E) where it overlooks a natural scarp falling steeply to level bog. The scarp is almost completely levelled out SW-W (in the field to W), where it is vaguely traceable and it appears completely levelled W-NW. The ruin of a vernacular building is situated on the scarp at SSE. There are vague traces of a fosse (Wth c. 2.5m; D c. 0.05m) in the central and E field which is evident on the satellite imagery NW-W. A possible entrance feature may be located at WSW, from where a possible trackway (L c. 45m; Wth c. 12m) extends toward the bog.
The following images have been uploaded:
CL027-053—-_01.jpg From WSW. C…
Rock scribing – folk art
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To…
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email nmarchive@chg.gov.ie.
Rock scribing – folk art
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To…
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email nmarchive@chg.gov.ie.
Enclosure
On a low, yet distinct plateau (long-axis NW-SE), in improved pasture. This feature is depicted on the 1842 edition of the OS 6-inch map as a circular coppice of trees (51m N-S; 48m E-W) defined by a perforated line. It…
On a low, yet distinct plateau (long-axis NW-SE), in improved pasture. This feature is depicted on the 1842 edition of the OS 6-inch map as a circular coppice of trees (51m N-S; 48m E-W) defined by a perforated line. It is described by Westropp (1917, 11) as a ‘small earthen ring, possibly sepulchral’. This field has been much improved and the top of the naturally formed plateau has been levelled out. There is little trace of an enclosure, except the arc of a low scarp (Wth 3.4m; H 0.7m) SE-S. This may be a result of material from the ‘earthen ring’ which has been levelled out downslope.
The following images have been uploaded:
CL027-022—-_01.jpg From ESE. General view across top of plateau; standing stone (CL027-021—-) in background.
CL027-022—-_02.jpg From NE. Cross-section view of possible scarp at SE.
Compiled by: Mary Tunney, Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly
Date of upload: 26 November 2018
Listed buildings
The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) is a state survey appraising buildings of architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social, or technical interest. Each surveyed structure receives a rating from International (the highest, for buildings of European importance) through National, Regional, Local, and Record-Only.
The NIAH records only 33 listed buildings in Tulla Upper, the 16th percentile across ROI baronies — a relatively thin architectural record. The highest-graded structures include 2 of National significance. The Republic holds 937 National-graded buildings in total, so this barony accounts for around 0% of the national total. Construction dates concentrate most heavily in the Victorian (1830-1900) period.
Terrain and environment
Mean elevation across the barony is 118m — the 72nd percentile among 280 ROI baronies for elevation. This means it is in the top third of all baronies for elevation. This is a relatively elevated landscape by ROI standards. Elevation matters for heritage because higher-altitude baronies typically favour defensive monuments — ringforts and hilltop forts placed on prominent ground — while lowland baronies are more likely to carry the dense settlement and church networks of intensive agricultural landscapes. The barony reaches 396m at its highest point — a vertical span of more than 278m within its boundary, indicating significant topographic diversity. Mean slope is 5.4° — the 77th percentile among 280 ROI baronies for slope. This means it is in the top third of all baronies for slope. This is consistently steep terrain by ROI standards, the kind of landscape that tends to preserve upstanding archaeological features well. Slope is a key control on both land use and archaeological preservation: steep ground resists ploughing and tends to preserve earthworks intact, while gentle slopes favour intensive cultivation that damages or destroys surface archaeology over time. The Topographic Wetness Index averages 10.0, the 22nd percentile among 280 ROI baronies for wetness. This means it is in the bottom third of all baronies for wetness. This is well-drained ground by ROI standards — typical of upland or steeply-sloping country that sheds water rapidly. Drainage matters for heritage because poorly-drained ground preserves organic archaeology (wooden trackways, leather, textiles, and on rare occasions human remains) far better than free-draining soil; well-drained ground favours arable use but destroys organic material rapidly. The land cover is dominated by improved grassland (54%) and woodland (43%). In overall character, this is steeply-sloping terrain at modest elevation, with land use dominated by improved grassland.
Terrain measurements
Where this barony sits in the Republic of Ireland
Geology and preservation
Bedrock geology shapes the landscape long before any settlement begins — controlling soil drainage, agricultural potential, the survival of upstanding monuments, and the preservation of buried archaeology. The figures below come from the Geological Survey Ireland 1:100,000 bedrock map.
The bedrock underlying Tulla Upper is predominantly mudstone, siltstone, conglomerate (33% of the barony by area), with much of the rock dating to the Carboniferous period. A substantial secondary geology of limestone (32%) and greywacke, siltstone and shale (23%) adds further variety to the underlying landscape. The single largest mapped unit is the Ayle River Formation (33% of the barony's bedrock).
Rock type composition
Largest mapped unit: Ayle River Formation (33% of the barony)
Placename evidence
Logainm records 34 heritage-diagnostic placenames for Tulla Upper, drawn from townland and civil-parish names across the barony. The dominant stratum is Early Christian ecclesiastical — cill-, teampall-, and domhnach-prefixed names that record the dense network of early church foundations established between the fifth and tenth centuries. The leading diagnostic roots are cill- (13 — church), lios- (6 — ringfort or enclosure), and tuaim- (3 — burial mound). This is broadly in line with the ROI average of 30.7 heritage placenames per barony. The presence of multiple heritage strata side by side indicates layered occupation of the landscape across successive prehistoric and historic periods. Logainm records 222 placenames for Tulla Upper (predominantly townland names). Of these, 34 (15%) carry one of the diagnostic Gaelic roots tracked above; the remainder draw on more generic landscape vocabulary that does not encode a heritage period.
Pre-Christian / Early Medieval Defensive
| Root | Count | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| lios- | 6 | ringfort or enclosure |
| dún- | 2 | hilltop or promontory fort |
| caiseal- | 2 | stone ringfort |
| cathair- | 2 | stone fort |
| ráth- | 1 | earthen ringfort |
Early Christian Ecclesiastical
| Root | Count | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| cill- | 13 | church (early) |
| domhnach- | 1 | pre-Patrician or earliest Patrician church |
| tobar- | 1 | holy well |
Burial, Ritual, and Norse-Contact
| Root | Count | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| tuaim- | 3 | burial mound |
| feart- | 2 | grave mound |
| sián- | 1 | fairy mound |
Other baronies in Clare
- Burren
- Bunratty Upper
- Leitrim
- Inchiquin
- Islands
- Tulla Lower
- Moyarta
- Trughanacmy — Kerry
- Gaultiere — Waterford
- Carbery West (west Division) — Cork
See all 280 baronies in the Republic of Ireland Heritage Tool.
Explore further
Grounding History: 10 Maps of Northern Ireland’s Past
If you’re interested in Irish heritage more widely, the companion report for Northern Ireland brings together the analysis of all 462 NI wards into one place through 10 high-quality maps — covering monument density, archaeological periods, placename heritage, terrain, wetland, and the historic landscape at first survey. Take a look.
About this profile
Click any section below to expand.
What is a barony?
A barony is a historic administrative unit in Ireland, broadly equivalent to an English hundred. The 280 baronies used here are from the OSi 2019 National Statutory Boundaries (generalised 20m), covering the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland. Baronies derive from the Norman period, were formalised in the 17th century, and have not been redrawn for statistical purposes. They vary enormously in area, from compact urban baronies in Dublin to vast upland baronies in Connacht, and should not be compared by raw site count without accounting for area differences.
What counts as a site?
This profile combines three distinct heritage registers, each with its own definition of what constitutes a recordable site:
- Archaeological sites (NMS). The National Monuments Service Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) catalogues every known archaeological monument or site of archaeological interest in the Republic, from prehistoric burial mounds and ringforts to medieval churches and post-medieval defensive works. Inclusion does not require legal protection — only that the site has been identified, surveyed, and assessed as having archaeological value. A separate subset of these sites lies within a recorded protection zone, which gives them statutory protection under the National Monuments Acts.
- Listed buildings (NIAH). The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage records buildings of architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social, or technical interest. Each surveyed structure is appraised on a five-tier scale: International, National, Regional, Local, and Record-Only. The NIAH appraisal is informational rather than strictly statutory, but it underpins local-authority Record of Protected Structures (RPS) listings.
- Heritage placenames (Logainm). Logainm is the authoritative database of Irish placenames maintained by the Placenames Branch. This profile applies a heritage-diagnostic classifier to the Irish-language form of each townland name, flagging roots that signal defensive sites (ráth-, lios-, dún-, caiseal-, cathair-), ecclesiastical foundations (cill-, teampall-, domhnach-, mainistir-), prehistoric burial-ritual features (tuaim-, carn-, leaba-), or Norse-contact settlement (gall-). Townlands without one of these diagnostic roots are not flagged here — they may still carry historical significance, but that significance is not encoded in the name itself.
Editorial principles
The narrative sections of this profile follow several explicit principles:
- Evidential. Every claim about this barony’s heritage character is anchored in the underlying register data. Where a site count, a placename count, or a percentile rank is cited, it is computed from the source datasets at export time, not estimated.
- Comparative. Counts and metrics are reported alongside their percentile rank against the other 279 ROI baronies. A barony with 50 ringforts in absolute terms could be unusually high or unusually low depending on its size and regional context; percentile ranking removes that ambiguity.
- Transparent on limits. Where a register has known coverage gaps, survey biases, or data-quality issues that affect this barony’s figures, the profile flags them rather than presenting the numbers as definitive.
- No interpretation beyond what the data supports. The narrative does not speculate about historical events, social dynamics, or cultural meaning beyond what the recorded heritage and placename evidence directly attests.
Data caveats and limits
- NMS Sites and Monuments Record is the product of survey campaigns conducted at different intensities across different counties and decades. Some baronies have been surveyed more thoroughly than others, and absolute counts should be read in that light. Sites destroyed by development before survey are typically not represented; sites in heavily forested or upland terrain are sometimes under-recorded.
- NIAH coverage is broadly complete for the Republic of Ireland but the survey was conducted on a rolling county-by-county basis, and the most recent appraisal date varies. Buildings demolished or substantially altered after their original survey may still appear in the register; conversely, recent buildings of merit may not yet have been appraised.
- Logainm classification applies a deliberately conservative pattern-matching approach to the Irish-language townland forms. The classifier prioritises true positives over recall: a townland may carry a heritage signal that the classifier doesn’t recognise, particularly where the diagnostic root has been heavily anglicised or where the townland name draws on a less common term. The 60,000+ townland records and ~9,800 classified placenames give a substantial signal at barony scale, but individual townland names should be checked against Logainm directly for definitive interpretation.
- Period attribution. The chronological distribution reflects only those NMS sites that carry a recognised period attribution in the source data. Sites listed as “Unknown” period are excluded from the dated subset.
- Boundary changes. Some baronies have undergone minor boundary adjustments since their 19th-century definition; the OSi 2019 generalised boundaries used here are the current statutory definition and may differ slightly from historical maps in border areas.
- Bedrock geology is mapped at 1:100,000 scale, which means local variation within a barony — small pockets of different rock type, mineral veins, alluvium overlying bedrock — is generalised. The dominant-system and rocktype figures are area-weighted, so a barony reading “70% Carboniferous limestone” may still contain small but archaeologically important pockets of older or younger rock. Around 3% of GSI polygons do not match the lexicon and contribute no rocktype or system attribution.
Data sources
- National Monuments Service — Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) https://data.gov.ie/dataset/national-monuments-service-archaeological-survey-of-ireland
- National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) https://data.gov.ie/dataset/national-inventory-of-architectural-heritage-niah-national-dataset
- Logainm — Placenames Database of Ireland https://www.logainm.ie/
- Ordnance Survey Ireland — National Statutory Barony Boundaries 2019 https://data-osi.opendata.arcgis.com/
- EURODEM — European Digital Elevation Model https://www.mapsforeurope.org/datasets/euro-dem
- ESA WorldCover https://esa-worldcover.org/en
- Geological Survey Ireland — 1:100,000 Bedrock Geology https://www.gsi.ie/en-ie/data-and-maps/Pages/Bedrock.aspx
Explore more: Search any of the 280 ROI baronies, browse by historical province, or read the methodology and data sources for the full Republic of Ireland Heritage Tool.