This ancient midden, or rubbish heap, was discovered eroding from a section face in 2003, revealing layers of shells and bones that tell the story of generations who once called this remote island home.

The midden stretches approximately 1.8 metres from north to south and varies in depth from 20 to 45 centimetres. It’s composed primarily of cockles, periwinkles, and mussels; the discarded remains of countless meals consumed by the island’s former inhabitants. Mixed amongst the shells are occasional animal bones and small stones, all held together in a matrix of loose, dark brown, sandy silt loam. This archaeological treasure sits sandwiched between the modern topsoil above and an older sand layer below.

Such middens are invaluable windows into the dietary habits and daily lives of Ireland’s coastal communities. The variety of shellfish found here suggests the inhabitants were skilled foragers who knew how to exploit the rich marine resources of their island home. Each shell represents not just a meal, but a moment in time when someone walked these shores, gathering food from the rocky pools and sandy beaches that still define Inishbarnog today.