Field system

The National Monuments Service's description

On the moderately steep lower W slopes of Cappanawalla at the narrowest point in the Rathborney valley, between Cappanawalla Hill and Gleninagh ‘Mountain’. Recently reclaimed pastureland now extends slightly up the ridge side. The surviving elements are generally poorly preserved and defined by tumbled stone walls (c. 900m NNW–SSE x c. 300m WSW–ENE), occasionally under heavy briar and thorn. Several phases of field walls are apparent, some are likely of pre-famine date, others are potentially associated with the several cashels (CL002-033002-, CL002-033003- and CL002-033004-) in their midst and some may predate the cashels. Two other field systems (CL002-030001- and CL002-075002-) with associated ringforts lie at the NW and NE of the valley. These three field systems may have essentially extended across the valley floor and formed one or several interconnected systems. The chronology of the remaining field systems is difficult to disentangle, however, some walls evidently postdate the cashel/enclosures, others are contemporary with their use while others may pre-date them. Plunkett-Dillon (1985) categorised tumble walls as being associated with ringforts and other medieval enclosures.

Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin

Date of upload: 19 November 2020

References

Plunkett Dillon, E.C. 1985 The field boundaries of the Burren, County Clare. Unpublished PhD thesis, Trinity College, Dublin.