Cahercommaun (Irish: Cathair Chomáin),[2] sometimes Cahercommane[3] is a triple stone ringfort on the south-east edge of the Burren area, in Kilnaboy, near the rural village of Carran, in County Clare, Ireland.

[4] In a six-week period in 1934 it was excavated by the Third Harvard Archaeological Expedition, led by Hugh O'Neill Hencken,[5] which found that the roughly circular enclosure contained at least twelve stone buildings at various times, some of which had souterrains.

The archaeologists concluded that Cahercommaun would have been home to a group of at least 40 people, and among the artefacts discovered were wooden spindles used in weaving.

[5] Archaeologists today think that the fort served as the central settlement of the Chiefdom of Tulach Commáin "The Mound of Commán" a once locally revered chief, anglicised to Commane" [8][9][10][11][12] (possibly) of the kingdom of Cashel which controlled or heavily influenced large parts of the Burren in the 9th century.

The site was clearly occupied before that period - as was most of the surrounding countryside, which shows numerous signs of habitation since prehistoric times.

What has been found in large quantities are animal bones, of sheep, goat, pig, horse, deer and others but dominantly cattle (97% by weight).

Numerous tools (iron knives and shears, 55 spindle whorls) were also found, indicating the presence of a self-sufficient (wool?)

By that stage, enough material has accumulated inside the inner wall that the lowest terraces were now at floor level and hearths were built on them.

One interpretation of the findings is that Cahercommaun served an important role in the collection of tribute and patronage that was crucial to the working of the small kingdoms of the time.

A once dominant but later defeated and coopted clan like the Ui Chormaic may have used the structure as a location for collecting cattle tribute prior to their delivery to the ultimate recipient, such as the Corcu Modruadh.