Ringfort - cashel

The National Monuments Service's description

At the W edge of a karst plateau, in rough pasture within a large multiperiod field system (CL005-160001-), with land dropping very steeply c. 42m to the W. Hachured on the 1842 and 1920 eds. of the OS 6-inch map. Listed as ‘Rectangular enclosure’ in the RMP (1996). Described by Westropp (1899, 371) as a 'fairly square fort' which was 'nearly levelled'. This rectangular cashel (ext. dims. 37.1m N–S; 35.1m E–W) is defined by a double-faced wall (Wth at E 1.9m; max. int. H 0.5m; ext. H 1–1.2m), fallen stones from which form a stone spread on either side of it (total Wth 4–5m; max. int. H c. 0.4m; ext. H c. 0.5m). The outer wall-face is visible all round except at the E end of the N wall, which is very disturbed. Midway along the E wall there is a crude entrance (Wth 1.1m) blocked with stones. Two structures in the interior probably post-date the occupation of the cashel. In the SW corner there is a house site (CL009-053019-). To the E of it, and built against the inner wall-face, is a small stone-lined structure (int. dims. 1.8m N–S- 1.6 E–W). Extending W from the NW corner of the cashel there is a substantial but very poorly preserved double-faced wall (L c. 13m; Wth c. 1m; min. H 1.5m). Another cashel (CL009-053003-) lies c. 98m to the SW. An enclosure (CL053009-) lies c. 130m to the SE. There is a holy well (CL009-053008-) c. 109m to the NNW.

The following image has been uploaded: CL009-053007- view from NE.jpg

Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott

Date of upload: 31 January 2022

References

Westropp, T.J. 1899 Prehistoric remains in the Burren, County Clare. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 29, 367-84.