Midden, Finner, Co. Donegal

Co. Donegal |

Settlement Sites

Midden, Finner, Co. Donegal

Hidden within what is now an army firing range near Finner in County Donegal lies a remarkable archaeological site that offers a window into Ireland's ancient past.

The Sandhill sites have yielded an impressive collection of stone tools and pottery fragments, alongside preserved bones and charcoal deposits that help archaeologists piece together the story of early human settlement in this coastal region. These artefacts, documented by O. Davies and now held in the National Museum of Ireland, represent thousands of years of human activity along Donegal's rugged shores.

The midden at Finner is particularly significant as it preserves the everyday refuse of ancient communities; broken pottery, discarded tools, food remains and fire debris that accumulated over generations. Such coastal middens are invaluable to archaeologists because they provide direct evidence of diet, technology and daily life that would otherwise be lost to time. The abundance of materials found here suggests this wasn't just a temporary campsite but rather a location that saw repeated or prolonged occupation, likely chosen for its proximity to both marine and terrestrial resources.

While the site's current status as a military firing range means public access is restricted, its archaeological importance was recognised and documented in the comprehensive Archaeological Survey of County Donegal, compiled by Brian Lacey and his team in 1983. This survey remains one of the most thorough catalogues of Donegal's archaeological heritage, documenting sites from the Mesolithic period through to the 17th century, ensuring that even inaccessible locations like the Finner midden remain part of Ireland's recorded archaeological narrative.

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