Fire destroys crannóg site huts

PART of Clare’s crannóg site, which has featured on Irish school curriculums for decades, has been destroyed in a fire.

Two thatched huts on the crannóg - a man-made island built by Bronze Age chieftains to provide security for their families and animals - were completely destroyed and the wooden walls surrounding the island were also damaged.

Cragganowen, which is located close to the village of Quin, is one of the Shannon region’s biggest tourist attractions, with around 36,000 visitors every year. Shannon Heritage said the site was insured and would be rebuilt as soon as possible.