Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture on the N-facing slope of an NE-SW ridge, c. 100m from the E shore of Lough Cullaun, flanked by marshy ground to the W and N. Indicated on both the first (1842) and Cassini (1916) editions of the OS 6-inch map. Classified as an enclosure in the RMP (1996). Westropp (1915, 271-2) described the enclosure, remarking on the incorporation of large water-worn boulders into its fabric, and noting that prior to the drainage of the Lough Cullaun, ‘the fort was washed by the lake, the garth raised some 4 feet [c. 1.2m] higher than the field’. A large suboval-shaped enclosure (int. diams. 93-8m E-W; 84m N-S) is defined by a partially collapsed and overgrown, double-faced drystone wall (Wth 1.2-8m; H 0.4-1.8m) with some surviving evidence of a batter on the outer wallface. The wall is best preserved along the NW (ext. H 1.8m; Wth 1.8m), while along the NE, it has been reduced to the outer wall-face resting on a collapsed stone spread (Wth 3m; H 1m). The enclosing line from SW-W-NW forms the townland boundary with Kells. There is an entrance gap (Wth 2.2m) at E. The interior contains a church (CL017-094002-) and a graveyard (CL017-094003-), and a souterrain (CL017-094004-) is located immediately SE of the entrance. Internal divisions within the enclosure are visible as low grass-covered stony banks (Wth 1-1.4m; H c. 0.3m). A rectangular structure (int. dims. L 15.7m E-W; Wth 6.5m N-S) in the W sector is defined by grassed over double-faced stone wall footings. 

 

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Eve Campbell 

 

Date of upload: 21-10-2025

References

Westropp, T.J. 1915 Prehistoric remains (forts and dolmens) in Burren and its south western border, Co. Clare. Part 12: North Western Part. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 5, 45-62, 249-74.