Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated at the highest point and just W of the centre of Inis Cealtra and central to a system of fields (CL029-009002-) associated with the monastic remains on the island. A D-shaped enclosure (dims. c. 70m NE-SW; c. 47m NW-SE) with a straight bank at E (Wth 6.4m; ext. H 0.4m; int. H 1.1m). From S to NW the enclosure is defined by a bank (Wth 5.4m; ext. H 0.8m; int. H 0.5m) and from NW to NE by a bank (Wth 6.55m; int. H 0.5m; ext. H 1.4m) external fosse (Wth 1.8m at base) and external bank (Wth 3.2m; int. H 0.4m; ext. H 0.15m). The site of St. Michael’s Church (CL029-009003-) and a small associated enclosure (CL029-009004-) lie within and a penitential station (CL029-009052-) in the area is still visited. The enclosure was excavated in 1972 (Excavation no. E000180) revealing a typical bank and fosse profile. There was no evidence of occupation at any period and the enclosure was D-shaped in its original form. A charcoal sample from the straight fosse at E has been radiocarbon dated to Cal AD 905-1023 (UBA-30515)(Seaver and O'Sullivan 2015, 11-14). (dePaor 2013, 36-7)

Revised by: Mary Tunney

Date of revision: 18 July 2106

References

Seaver, M. and O'Sullivan, A. 2015 Report on the Iniscealtra post excavation project for the Royal Irish Academy 2015. Excavation no. E180. Early Medieval Archaeology Project, School of Archaeology, University College Dublin.

de Paor †, L. 2013 Inis Cealtra: Archaeological investigations of the monuments on the island. North Munster Antiquarian Journal 53, 27-78.