Field system

The National Monuments Service's description

In mountain pasture on ENE-facing slope overlooking Coomhola river valley; covering an area of c. 7000 sq.m. with ancient field boundaries, hut site, stone settings and pre-bog wall. Collapsed dry-stone walls in three groups. To SW, wall runs E-W, c. 60m up E-facing slope; part of crossing wall runs out to N (10m) and S (4m). In middle of complex, two parallel walls, gently curving, run N-S c. 190m (20m apart); remains of two cross walls link these, forming sub-rectangular fields (20m x 40m); walls composed of upright stones (H c.0.7m), at intervals of 2.5m-3m with stone filling in between. To N, series of walls set at right angles to one another covering area 112m N-S; 70m E-W. Immediately N, at base of cut-away bog (D 0.6m) collapsed wall running E-W for 52m.
On top of a hillock at S end of complex is cist-like structure (1.6m NE-SW; 0.92m NW-SE) (CO091-009004-), defined on 3 sides by slabs and by series of small stones (some fallen) on NW side; number small stones set along inside of slabs. In middle of complex, rough stones arranged in a rough rectangle (4m E-W; 2m N-S) defined on 3 sides by prostrate stones (CO091-009002-); according to local informationa flagstone covering site was removed for road works. On N side of complex, attached to ancient field system, arc of embedded stones (H 0.3m) forms W wall (Wth 1m) of circular hut (diam. 4m) (CO091-009003-).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009