Charcoal-making site

The National Monuments Service's description

On the lower SW-facing slopes of Knockoe hill, S of Mount Leinster on the western flanks of the Blackstairs Mountains. At the NW end of a revetted grassy terrace, with many large natural boulders strewn around to the NW and SW. This has been artificially created with a stone revetment running NW-SE (H 0.95m) and turns to form drystone walling running NE at the NW end. There are extensive views to the W, overlooking the Aughnabrisky River valley to the S-SW.
One of a number of charcoal-making platforms (CW023-035---- to CW023-039----) in the immediate area suitable for mound kilns, identified by Michael Monahan and Edward Butler. It is located within the angle created by the terrace revetment and drystone walling. It consists of a roughly circular level platform (dims. 10.3m NW-SE; 9m NE-SW). The rear NE portion of the platform is cut into the natural slope (H 0.85m), while the front SW portion forms a terrace supported by a stone revetment (H 0.6m), which itself utilises the revetment of the larger terrace, though it is set back from it.

See attached photographs:
CW023-035----_01 From SW
CW023-035----_02 From NW
CW023-035----_03 From SSW terrace revetment in foreground
CW023-035----_04 General view of SW slope of Knockroe hill with approximate location of charcoal-making sites

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 15 April 2019