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. In very rocky terrain, hillslope strewn with granite boulders. 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 consists of a roughly circular level platform (dims. 10.2m NW-SE; 10.4m NE-SW). The rear NE portion of the platform is cut into the natural slope (H 0.85m). The SW edge (H 1.1m) is defined by scarp with a revetment of small boulders, which rests on a slightly wider revetted platform (H 0.75m) which provides extra stability for the scarped edge of the charcoal-making platform. There is a shallow depression (dims. 4m x 1.6m; D 0.55m) at the base of the revetment in the W and another partially dug into the edge of the platform at SSE (dims. 2.1m x 1.5m; D 0.6m).

See attached photographs:
CW023-038----_01 Platform from SE
CW023-038----_02 Platform from NE
CW023-038----_03 Platform from W
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