Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

On a low rise to the N of the Rathborney River, with views from ESE to W and within the modern graveyard (CL005-027005-) attached to Rathborney church (CL005-027002-). Named ‘Rath boirne’ on Robinson’s map (1977). According to Westropp (1901, 278) it was already ‘much defaced by interments’. A roughly circular enclosure (37m E-W; 34m N-S) defined by a scarp (H 0.6-1.2m) from S to SE. Outside of this, from S to WNW, there is a terrace (Wth 2.8m) and a second outer scarp (H 0.9m). A gap in the scarp at SSE may indicate an entrance. The interior is highest in the centre and a souterrain (CL005-027004-) entrance is located NW of centre. A bullaun stone (CL005-027005-) lies just outside to the ESE and the church (CL005-027002-) is located immediately NE. Swinfen (1992, 110) suggested it might have been a ‘secular site’, prior to the construction of the church and graveyard. However, Swan (1991, 109) listed it as an ecclesiastical site with substantial evidence for an enclosure, and the presence of the bullaun stone does support this supposition.

Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin

Date of upload: 25 January 2022

References

Swinfen, A. 1992 Forgotten stones: Ancient church sites of the Burren and environs. Dublin. Lilliput Press.

Robinson, T. 1977 (revised 1999) The Burren: a two-inch map of the uplands of north-west Clare. Map scale 1:31680. Roundstone: Folding Landscapes.

Westropp, T.J 1901 Prehistoric remains in north-western Clare part II. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 31, 273-91.

Swan, D.L. 1991 The churches, monasteries and burial grounds of the Burren. In J. W. O'Connell and A. Korff (eds.), The book of the Burren, 95-118. Tír Eolas, Newtownlynch, Kinvara, Co. Galway.