Hurlers square off but ancient link exists between Clare and Limerick

As the hurlers of Clare and Limerick prepare to square up in the All-Ireland semi-final this weekend, evidence has emerged which suggests that an ancient common tribal link exists between the people of the two counties.

An excavation of Moneen Cave in Ballyvaughan, Co Clare, has provided experts with a fresh insight into life in the West of Ireland in prehistoric times. The significance of the cave was not identified until 2011, when an ancient body as well as a number of ceremonial artifacts were discovered by local cavers.

The cave has been the topic of ongoing research by Dr Marion Dowd of IT Sligo, who has just completed a report that includes extensive radiocarbon dating and ancient DNA analysis.