Ringfort - cashel

The National Monuments Service's description

In rough elevated pasture on a narrow ridge aligned N-S flanked by deep hollows to the E and W, with extensive views. Within an extensive field system (CL005-160001-) and immediately adjacent to an oval enclosure (CL005-306----) within which is a subcircular cashel (CL005-160002-). Indicated on the 1839 OS 6-inch map. Hachured on the 1916 OS 6-inch map. Listed as a ‘rectangular enclosure’ in the RMP (1996). Described by Westropp (1911, 358) as a ‘remarkable straight sided “moher” … built of long slabs’. Westropp noted that, in contrast to other straight sided cashels, the corners were angled, potentially indicating a later date.

A rectangular cashel (33m N-S; 29m E-W) defined by a grass-covered stone spread (Wth 2.5-5m; H 0.5-1.6m) with wall-facing evident on all external faces, and in the interior to the N and E. The original width of the wall is legible at the E (1.7m) and the N (2.7m). The original position of the entrance is unclear, but it may have been in the S wall. The interior has grass-covered divisions which form part of a later field system. The walls of the cashel are surmounted by more recent drystone walling on the N, E and S sides. A farm track flanks the E of the monument, truncating its NE corner. An oval enclosure (CL005-308----) abuts the cashel at SE.

Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Eve Campbell

Date of upload: 22 August 2022

References

Westropp, T.J. 1911 Prehistoric remains (forts and dolments) in the Burren, Co. Clare (continued). Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 1, 343-67.