Prehistory Archaeological evidence from cave finds of butchered bones have been radiocarbon dated to 33,000 years ago, showing evidence of hunters during the Ice Age. Pollen analysis indicates that in the
Mesolithic period of 8000 to 7000 BC The Burren looked completely different from today, with most of the uplands covered in a mixture of deciduous, pine and yew trees. No clear evidence of Mesolithic settlements or camp sites in the area has yet been discovered. At the limits of the region, near
Lake Inchiquin and at the so-called "Doolin Axe Factory", stone artifacts have been discovered that may be Mesolithic in origin. However, by the
Neolithic, c. 4000 BC, settlers had clearly arrived and began changing the landscape through deforestation, likely by
overgrazing and burning, and the building of stone walls. These people also constructed Megalithic sites like the portal tomb known as
Poulnabrone dolmen and the
court tombs at Teergonean (near Doolin) and Ballyganner (near
Noughaval). Overall, there are around 70 megalithic tombs in the Burren area, more than half of all of these structures found in Clare. The most numerous type of prehistoric structure (apart from stone walls) in The Burren is the late-Neolithic/early-
Bronze Age wedge tomb, mostly dated to the period 2500 to 2000 BC. It accounts for around 90% of the region's megalithic tombs. Many examples of these are found on Roughan Hill near
Kilnaboy, including those at
Parknabinnia and
Creevagh. Others are located at
Gleninsheen and Berneens (Rathborney) and Poulaphuca (Carran). Large stone cairns on many hills, such as the
Poulawack Cairn, also date from this period. Like in many places of Ireland, datable
Iron Age sites are rare in The Burren. This may be due to the use of dwellings that did not leave durable traces (wooden buildings or even tents). Some of the extant
ráths, cashels or cahers may actually have Iron Age origins. However, few have been excavated and those that have been the subject of research, like
Cahercommaun,
Caherconnel,
Cahermore or
Ballyallaban, are thought to be early medieval or later in origin. The large enigmatic enclosure of Turlough Hill (see
Oughtmama) may be Iron Age or earlier. Definite regional findings from this era are limited to a few bronze horse bridles discovered near Corofin and at Ballyalla (
Kilshanny). The history of these years is uncertain, but after the decline of the
Eóganacht Árann the local
Corco Modhruadh likely fell under the control of the
Uí Fiachrach Aidhne, a tribe from what is now southern Galway, who prospered in the 7th century. The local tribes were then probably subjects of the
Eóganacht Locha Léin until their influence declined in the early 9th century. Whether the
Corco Modhruadh still existed as a distinct group at that point is uncertain, as they and their neighbours
Corcu Baiscind may have been assimilated into or conquered by the
Déisi Tuisceart of eastern Clare, who won a major battle against the
Corco Modhruadh in 744. By the 9th century, the
Corco Modhruadh had been driven into the Burren uplands. The O'Loughlin (Ó Lochlainn) clan ruled
Boireann down to the mid-17th century from their chief residence at
Gregans Castle (the tower house, not the house of the same name). The chief of the family was known in later times as the 'Prince of Burren' and clan members were buried in the family tomb near the altar of Corcomroe Abbey. Their kinsmen, the O'Conor (Ó Conchubhair), clan ruled
Corco Modhruadh Iartharach from
Dough Castle near
Liscannor. The villages and towns found within the medieval territory of Boireann include Lisdoonvarna, Ballyvaughan,
New Quay (Newquay) / Burrin (Burren),
Noughaval, Bealaclugga (Bellharbour),
Carron and Fanore / Craggagh. Both clans were eventually subjects of the O'Briens, the rulers of
Thomond. Especially in the southwest, the O'Briens sometimes extended their direct influence, taking over houses and territories for themselves. They controlled the castles at
Dromoland and
Leamaneh and later became the
Barons Inchiquin. ==Culture==