Ringfort - cashel

The National Monuments Service's description

On an undulating ridge extending NE from a plateau in rough pasture within a large multiperiod field system (CL009-032001-), with level ground S–W and sloping away in other directions. Hachured on both the first (1842) and Cassini (1920) editions of the OS 6-inch map. Labelled ‘Cathrach an Rois’ on Robinson’s map of the Burren (1977). This irregularly rectilinear cashel (L 34.4m NE–SW; Wth 29.8m NW–SE) is defined by a stone wall (est. Wth at N c. 3.4m; int. H 0.4–0.9m; ext. H. 0.4–1.5m) which has mostly collapsed to form a stone spread which is less substantial at SE and SW (Wth 3–4.6m; int. H 0.4–0.7m; ext. H 0.3–0.7m) but more substantial elsewhere (Wth 6–7m; int. H 0.4–0.9m; ext. H 0.4–1m). The outer wall-face is best preserved at NE and NW (H 1.5m), where small horizontally laid stones (L 0.5m; H 0.2m) are visible. The wall-face has a straighter edge at NW, but this may be due to later re-building.

The cashel appears to have been in a dilapidated state when described by Westropp (1898, 362): ‘poorly built and levelled within a foot or two of the ground.’ Later drystone walls (Wth c. 0.7m; H c. 1.1m) are built over the cashel wall at NW, SE and SW. A N–S wall footing (L 12.5m) extends through the NW sector of the interior.

A possible enclosure (CL009-036004-) lies c. 25m to the S.

 

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Conn Herriott

 

Date of upload: 1-10-2025

References

Westropp, T.J. 1898 Prehistoric remains in the Burren, County Clare (Carran and Kilcorney). The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 28, 352-66.