How to Visit Poulnabrone Dolmen
Read our travel guide on Poulnabrone Dolmen in Ireland. Includes tips on what to expect, how to get there, or when to go.
Despite its subtle appearance, Poulnabrone Dolmen is one of the most iconic landmarks in Ireland.
Situated in a karst landscape of the Burren formed about 16.000 years ago, the history of this ancient megalithic site stretches over 5.000 years.
And even though this is a relatively quick stop, it had a firm spot on our Ireland road trip itinerary right from the start.
After the Cliffs of Moher, this is the most visited attraction within the Burren Geopark and one of the most photographed archaeological sites in Ireland.
If history is your thing, Poulnabrone Dolmen is definitely among the best things to see and do in County Clare.
On top of that, this site is a fine example of how the Wild Atlantic Way road trip is not just about ocean views, cliffs, and beaches.
So here's everything you should know about Poulnabrone Dolmen before you go.
History
Poulnabrone Dolmen was built between 5800 and 5200 years ago, and it's situated on a karst limestone plateau about 150 meters above sea level.
The name Poulnabrone comes from the Irish Poll na Born, meaning quern - hole (or pool).
As usual, there is little known about the site as it's very basic and was built that long ago.
Questions such as what was its exact purpose, who was buried here, and what other religious ceremonies were performed here remain to be solved.
Nonetheless, Poulnabrone is a portal tomb (dolmen) consisting of a few large upright stones (megaliths) with a massive capstone on the top.
During excavations in 1986, archaeologists discovered the remains of over 33 people who were buried here.
Even though the bones were found in the grikes of the limestone pavement inside the tomb's main chamber, evidence suggests that the people were buried elsewhere first.
A remarkable range of artifacts, including fragments of pottery, beads, pins, polished stone axe, and arrowheads, were also discovered here during the dig.
Geology
Not surprisingly, history is not the only reason to visit Poulnabrone Dolmen.
Burren's karst landscape has many cool features.
Here you can see some of the most notable ones without too much effort.
We recommend reading the information provided about this sight first, as it also explains terms such as clints, grikes, kamenitzas, and dolines.
It really makes noticing the unique features of the Burren much easier.
And not just here but also when hiking in the Burren National Park, driving along the coast to Fanore Beach, or exploring the Doolin Cave area.
Visiting Poulnabrone Dolmen
Poulnabrone Dolmen is easy to find, there is a large parking area, and the path is well-marked, so the visit is very straightforward.
While the walk around the Dolmen is short and easy compared to, for instance, Mullaghmore Loop, it's recommended to stay on a designated gravel path.
It's possible to get closer if you want to take nice photos of Poulnabrone Dolmen surrounded by wildflowers.
Just keep in mind that the portal tomb itself is roped off, and the terrain around it is uneven.
Despite its history stretching over 5000 years, very little is known about the actual site.
It always makes us wonder what everyday life must have been like in such remote places.
The wear and tear of the bones found here suggest that it was a life of hard work, hardships, and challenges.
Just look at the dolmen itself, and think about for a moment how extremely difficult shaping and erecting these massive stone slabs must have been without proper tools.
And if you visit Poulnabrone on a rainy and foggy day, it only makes this feeling stronger.
By the way, it's still not perfectly clear how these giant stones, about 1.8 meters high and weighing several tons, were actually moved and raised.
It's believed a combination of human and animal power, ropes, wooden rollers, and ingenious engineering was used.
Despite the fact that this is a tiny site, especially when compared to Bru na Boinne, it's completely fascinating and provides a perfect way to learn a bit about the ancient Neolithic history of Ireland.
Opening Hours
Poulnabrone Dolmen is open 24/7, making it very convenient for travelers with a flexible travel itinerary.
Entrance Fee
There is no entry fee to Poulnabrone Dolmen.
If you're visiting Ireland on a budget and looking for free things to do in County Clare, this site should not fly under your radar.
How Much Time Do I Need
In general, this is a fairly quick stop, so you should allow yourself about 20-60 minutes for Poulnabrone Dolmen.
It mainly depends on your preferences, current mood, or even the weather.
Some people just walk around for a bit, take a few pictures, and leave, while some stay much longer, especially on a beautiful sunny day.
When to Go
Poulnabrone Dolmen can be visited at any time of the year, but several factors might influence the timing of a holiday.
The best time to visit Ireland is during the summer for a variety of reasons, but mainly because of the nice weather and plenty of daylight.
Spring and autumn are perfect alternatives if you don't mind lower temperatures and more unpredictable weather.
While visiting Poulnabrone Dolmen in winter is easy, don't forget the weather during this period is often less than pleasant.
Time of the Day
Don't forget that this site is popular with tour buses, so it's better to visit Poulnabrone Dolmen early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds, especially in the peak season.
What to Pack
Poulnabrone Dolmen is only a short walk from the parking area, so wear clothes according to the weather.
Regardless of the current weather, we recommend wearing sturdy shoes, as even the easy paths in Burren have uneven terrain.
In case of bad weather, make sure you have a quality rain jacket and an extra layer in your daypack.
Here you can check out our Ireland packing list.
How to Get There
Located in County Clare, Poulnabrone Dolmen sits on the R480, only a few kilometers from the village of Ballyvaughan.
Due to its remote location, the best way to get to Poulnabrone Dolmen is by car.
Luckily, renting a car in Ireland is very easy.
Having your own transport will give you the freedom of the road and be an essential key to visiting all places on your bucket list.
Car
Poulnabrone Dolmen is about an hour's drive south of Galway. Similarly, it takes about an hour to get there from Limerick.
From Dublin, you will need at least three hours to reach Poulnabrone Dolmen.
The R480 is relatively wide for a rural road, but you should still drive carefully to stay safe.
Don't forget to check out our post on driving in Ireland to find out more on this topic.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Parking
There is free and relatively large parking at Poulnabrone Dolmen.
Public Transport
Unfortunately, there is no bus to Poulnabrone Dolmen. You need to take a taxi or join a tour instead.
Tours
Taking a guided tour to Poulnabrone Dolmen is a great alternative for travelers who want to avoid driving in a foreign country.
While Poulnabrone is a popular place to visit, most of the tours revolve around the main attraction in the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher.
Therefore, you will most likely need to book a regular Cliffs of Moher tour that also includes places such as Poulnabrone Dolmen and Kinvara Village unless you want to book a custom-tailored private tour.
Always check the itinerary first, though.
Here you can reserve a guided Cliffs of Moher Tour from Galway.
Where to Stay
Poulnabrone Dolmen is located about halfway between Galway and Limerick.
Both cities are packed with options ranging from luxury hotels to budget hostels, essentially something for every style and budget.
If you're looking for getaway ideas, tons of small family-owned bed and breakfasts are scattered around the Burren, especially around the Cliffs of Moher area.
Kinvara | Kinvara Guesthouse - Set in the tiny village of Kinvara, this lovely guesthouse has a quiet location and spacious rooms and is only a 30-minute drive from the site.
Limerick | Limerick Strand Hotel - Set right next to the River Shannon, this modern hotel has spacious rooms, an indoor swimming pool, traditional Irish cuisine, a bar, a restaurant, and pretty much everything you need.
Galway | Leonardo Hotel Galway - Situated in the heart of Galway, this hotel features a great location, spacious rooms with comfortable rooms, helpful staff, and affordable on-site parking.
Staying Safe
Poulnabrone Dolmen is generally a very safe place to visit.
The portal tomb is only a short walk from the car, and the trail is clearly visible. As usual, don't leave your valuables in your car.
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Poulnabrone Dolmen Worth Visiting?
If you're interested in megalithic history, Poulnabrone Dolmen is definitely worth seeing.
With a rich history stretching over 5000 years and set in a beautiful location of the Burren, this ancient site once again shows how incredibly diverse and fascinating a road trip in Ireland can truly be.
Furthermore, it's one of the finest examples of portal tombs in Ireland, most likely the most famous one, and it's free to visit.
Still, keep your expectations reasonable, as this iconic Irish landmark is still a relatively small site.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
