Part 1: Commentary: Introduction

This part of the thesis discusses the various types of monuments of archaeological and historical interest that were noted in the Barony of Bunratty Lower, Co. Clare. Each type of site is examined in turn, under the headings: distribution, features, dating and related sites in Ireland.

One of the major problems in relation to Irish archaeology is the small number of excavations that have been conducted, thus giving us a somewhat unclearer view as to the purpose, features and date of the various site types. Therefore in discussing these, one is faced with many problems, some of which are as yet unanswerable. These problems can only be solved by conducting a series of careful excavations of the various monument types throughout the country.