Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, on S-facing slope. Depicted as large subcircular enclosure (c. 455m NW-SE; c. 490m SSW-NNE) on 1842, 1905 and 1937 OS 6-inch maps, defined by field fences WNW->SSW, with some apparent alteration of line to NE; bisected by road NNE-SSW. Enclosing elements of site to SE and S defined by earthen bank (ext. H 1.4m; int. H 0.3m), to W by wide flat-topped earthen bank (H 1.45m) with outer face truncated by steep-sided drain and to N by earthen bank (int. H 0.8m) skirted by external drain. Two areas within enclosure were archaeologically investigated in advance of development (O'Shaughnessy, 1992b, 7; O'Shaughnessy 1993, 11), both adjacent to road, one near S boundary, one towards centre of enclosure on E side of road; no traces of occupation were found. Possible site of church (14501) S of centre of enclosure; ringfort and possible ringfort (12611,13074) in SW quadrant; holy well (14005) c. 30m outside enclosure to SSE. Bowman (1934, 42) derived townland name from 'Cill an Bhealaigh - Church of the Road (or Pass)'.

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