Ringfort - cashel

The National Monuments Service's description

On a N-facing slope, in rough pasture, with good views NW–NE and overlooked from higher ground E–SW. Within a field system (CL004-098----). Indicated on the 1842 and 1915 eds. of the OS 6-inch maps. Listed as 'Rectangular enclosure' in the SMR (1992) and the RMP (1996). A rectangular cashel (int. dims. 38m N–S; 30m E–W) defined by a stone wall with outer facing-stones surviving highest (H 1.9m) on its E side. No original inner facing-stones survive and the wall width (Wth 1.25m) is only discernible at the entrance. The entrance is located midway along the S wall and is flanked by two orthostats (H 1.15m and 1.52m). A small hut site (CL004-013003-) is located in the NE corner and an irregular stone spread (H 0.8m) in the SW may mark the site of a second. Another collection of stones (Wth 1.5m; H 0.8m) abutting the inner side of the wall adjacent the E side of the entrance may also mark a feature. A circular cashel (CL004-013001-) lies c. 15m to the W.
There is an unusual density of ringforts in this part of the Burren. In 1897, Borlase (1897, 65) counted twenty between Derreen West and East and thirty-three on the slope of which they occur (including the NW facing slope of Knockauns Mountain). Westropp (1901, 10–11) reported several of these to be largely levelled and rebuilt as sheep folds but still believed them to be of ancient origin.

Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin

Date of upload: 22 February 2021

References

Westropp, T.J 1901 Prehistoric remains in north-western Clare, part I. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 31, 1-17.

Borlase, W.C. 1897 The Dolmens of Ireland, 3 vols. London. Chapman and Hall.