Linear earthwork

The National Monuments Service's description

Extending c. 22.5km from N slopes of Nagle Mountains to S slopes of Ballyhoura Mountains and generally following line of field fences or townland boundary. Additional sections to NNE (CO005-033---) and in E Cork (4255). Recent research (Verling 1988; Doody 1996, 22-25) has involved inspection of entire lenght of earthwork and excavation of two portions (Doody 1995, 19-22). Two excavated cuttings through S end in Gleann na nDibergach (Castleblagh/Ballydague Tds) revealed complex structure (ibid.): earthen bank (H 1.8m; max. Wth 4.75m), topped on E side with possible palisade trench; V-shaped fosses to W and E of bank (D 0.6m; Wth 1.36m: D 0.9m; Wth 1.42m respectively); 0.25m to E of E fosse, stone-paved trackway (Wth 2.1m). In one cutting, bank had been denuded, replaced by recent townland boundary, E ditch re-cut; in second, W fosse replaced by dry streambed. C14 date of 1801+/-39BP (139-250 cal. AD) from peat overlying trackway.
North of excavated area, line of Claidh Dubh 'well known in local nomenclature and tradition' (Power 1932, 10) but generally indistinguishable from ordinary field fences. During field inspection (Doody 1996, 22-25) certain sections were noted where bank height or conformation was unusual (described S-N):
Renny/Conva (OS 26): stone-faced bank (H 1.8m), probably modified as estate feature.
Renny Upper/Conva (OS 26): double bank, W bank smaller, stone-faced, possibly modified as estate feature.
Scrarour/Ballinvoher/Ballinaltig Beg (OS 26): unusual bank H of 2.0-2.1m, probably modified as estate feature.
Waterdyke/Graig (OS 18): bank with substantial fosse, flooded in wet periods.
Kilconnor/Shanagh/Graig (OS 18): flat-topped bank (H 2m; Wth 2m), vegetation-free, possibly modified as estate feature.
Skahanagh More/Ballintlea South (OS 18): bank follows Fluckane stream; base of stream flat, sides stone-lined; Doody (ibid.) assumes mill-race or estate feature, Verling (ibid., 6) identifies with Glaise Muilinn Mairteil (stream of Martel's Mill) of Crichad an Chaoilli (Power ibid., 9).
Carker Middle/Ballintlea North (OS 18): pair of banks c. 9m apart (L 80m; W bank H 1.05m, E bank H 0.8m); according to Verling (ibid., 27), aerial photographs show double bank extending nearly 0.4km further to S.
Jones (1902, 244) extended Claidh Dubh c. 6.2km to WNW to Ballinvonear (OS 17); Meagher (1988, 120) noted section visible at Streamhill (about half a mile south-east of Heatherside sanatorium)'; nothing on OS 6-inch maps suggests possible line of earthworks. Known locally as of 'remote antiquity' (Power ibid., 10) and as a boundary (Verling ibid., 10-11). Thought to be synonymous with ancient boundary line between two 'triuchas' described in 15th century manuscript of 'Crichad an Chaoilli' (Power ibid., 7-8); line extended from Glaise Muilinn Mairteil (see above) via Loch Luinge (probably Ballinaltig Beg) to Gleann na nDibergach. According to Nicholls (Verling ibid., 21, 56), Claidh Dubh does not correspond with any territorial boundaries post 700 AD and is probably earlier.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009