Concentric enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

On a low rise in rough, partially overgrown pasture surrounded by improved pasture and within a field system (CL010-059001-). Hachured on the first edition (1842) of the OS 6-inch map and
indicated as defined by a double-faced inner wall and an outer wall incorporating a section of bank at SE on both the OS 25-inch plan (1897) and Cassini edition (1920) of the OS 6-inch map. Depicted as a cashel with the remains of an outer enclosing element and labelled ‘double fort’ on Robinson’s map of the Burren (1977). Listed as ‘Cashel’ in the RMP (1996).
Described by Westropp (1905, 219) as, ‘The double-ringed caher … is now much defaced. The central wall has been levelled to within 4 feet [c. 1.22m] of the ground at the highest point; it was thin and of coarse masonry, both signs of late work. There is some slight trace of the passage inside the gateway facing east. It is 5 feet 9 inches wide [c. 1.75m]; near it lies a lintel 6 feet by 2 feet 3 inches by 7 inches [c. 1.83m by c. 0.68m by c. 0.18m] for the narrower outer opening [i.e. on the external face of the wall]. The inner ring is 146 feet [c. 45m] in diameter; the outer, on an average, 300 feet [c. 91m] internally. Much of the outer wall remains to the north-west; it is 8 feet [c. 2.4m] high, and of the coarse, slab masonry seen in the outer ring of Cahercommaun (CL010-064003-); it has been much rebuilt in places.’
The monument comprises a subcircular inner enclosure (diams. c. 46m N-S; c. 41m E-W) which is surrounded by a second, irregularly subcircular, outer enclosure (diams. c. 95m N-S; c. 85m E-W); both constructed from generally randomly coursed, thin flags.
The inner enclosure is defined by a fairly collapsed wall (Wth 2.5m; int. H 0.1m; ext. H 0.6-1m). While outer wall facing stones survive in most sectors, inner wall facing stones are only visible along the N but elsewhere have either been have been robbed out or are obscured by collapsed stone. The E-facing entrance noted by Westropp (ibid) is no longer clearly identifiable and a blocked gap (Wth 0.8m) at SW may be a later feature. The interior contains a hut site (CL010-059005-) abutting the inner face of the enclosing wall at W and immediately to its N are the remains of a possible house (CL010-059006-).
The outer enclosure wall (av. Wth 0.9m at S – 1.5m at N; int. H 0.8m; ext. H 0.5m) survives in fair condition in most sectors apart from along SE where it is reduced to a low stony bank (Wth 3m; int. H 0.8m; ext. H 0.5m). Both inner (except between W and N) and outer wall facing stones are visible with outer facing stones best preserved W-WNW (max H 1.7m). A later field wall is built on the original foundations of the outer wall from NNE-SE.
The area between the inner and outer enclosures is generally level and is subdivided by radial walls. An area of rubble (L 6m; Wth 3m) against the inner face of the outer enclosing wall at NW may also be an archaeological feature and just to its N of is a later, livestock pen.
A cashel (CL010-059003-) lies c. 105m to the NE.

References
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. 1905 Prehistoric remains (forts and dolmens) along the borders of Burren, in the County of Clare. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 35, 205-29.

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Conn Herriott

Date of upload: 5 March 2023