Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Enclosure
Ballon, County Carlow, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Ballon
- County
- Carlow
- Country
- Ireland
- Coordinates
- 52.73941, -6.77599
- SMR number
- CW013-068----
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1790 "Composite: Ireland." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
Formerly classified as 'Earthworks' in the Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow (Brindley and Kilfeather 1993, 22, no. 136) based on the description by Graves (JRSAI 1852-3, 296), in his article on the Ballon Hill cemetery (CW013-065----) which states that, 'On the summit … were formerly large and curious entrenchments, locally known as "The walls of Troy". These … have from time to time been all carted away by the neighbouring farmers for manure, so that not a trace ... now remains'. Following research carried out by Ballon Hill Archaeology Project a small roughly circular enclosure (diam. 30-40m) has been identified on the summit. The project has also identified a possible hilltop enclosure (CW013-124----) encircling the summit of the hill which incorporates the smaller enclosure in its NW quadrant. The 'walls of Troy' may refer to a maze of sod or turf on the summit, similar to one in Ballynavortha, Co. Wicklow (WI042-035----) (Manning 2004, 166-68).
The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Date of revision: 11 March 2014
Revised by: Jean Farrelly
References
Brindley, A.L. and Kilfeather, A. 1993 Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow. Dublin. Stationery Office.
Graves, J. 1852-3 The pagan cemetery at Ballon Hill, County of Carlow. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 2, 295-303.
Manning, C. 2004 A former sod or turf maze at Ballynavortha, Co. Wicklow. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 135, 166-68.
Nearby in the register
- Hilltop enclosureunder 1 mi
- Ritual site - holy wellunder 1 mi
- Enclosureunder 1 mi
- Ritual site - holy wellunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.