Fulacht fia

The National Monuments Service's description

On a broad terrace on the upper NW-facing slopes of Gortaclare Mountain, abutting the base of a steeply rising rocky scarp. Semicircular mound (c. 15m N−S; c. 12m E−W; H 1.2m at N, 1.7m at NW, 0.6m at S) with a broad central hollow (4.5m N−S; 3m E−W). The mound is composed of a dense concentration of angular limestone fragments in dark grey/black soil. It is asymmetrical in appearance: the N arm is higher and more substantial with a broadly slumped external slope (H 1.7m) at NW and pronounced internal slope (H 0.8m) into the central depression; the S arm is lower (ext. H 0.6m) and less well defined. The central hollow is closed at its mouth by the rising rocky face of the bluff, and at the time of visit no spring or water source was evident here, although there was an area of damp ground at the SE edge of the mound, and a small muddy wet area, roughly outlined by a gapped ring of stones, immediately to N of the mound. A few boulders lie in the base of the trough hollow, possible tumble from the slope above.

The following images have been uploaded:

CL006-245----_01.jpg View from N
CL006-245----_02.jpg View from upslope at NE
CL006-245----_03.jpg View from S

Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 9 November 2021