This iconic National Monument, a tomb from the Neolithic period (c. 4000 – 2400 BC), attracts over 200,000 visitors per year and in high season, can have over 1,500 visitors per day (2005 estimates). Prior to the opening of the car park, cars and coaches parked at the side of the narrow regional road, causing serious traffic congestion.
The car park was purchased by Clare County Council and developed by the Council with grant aid from the Failte Ireland Development Scheme Fund and the Office of Public Works managed through the Burren Connect Project. The site was surveyed and monitored by the National Monuments Service to ensure that no archaeological material was disturbed during construction.
The free car park holds 23 cars and 4 coaches. It was opened in the summer of 2007 and has been very successful in alleviating the problem of traffic congestion on the road.
Visitor impact on the ecology of the extended Poulnabrone site is being monitored by the OPW and National Monuments Service.
