Crannog

The National Monuments Service's description

In the W half of Callow Lough. This tree-covered crannog has been described by Curley (2021, 27-30-1) as a roughly circular artificial island (diam. c. 30m), rising 2m above the waterline. Its perimeter is defined by a revetment of large square stones, inside of which a substantial dump of stone and earth was piled. A subrectangular stone structure (GA073-032001-) is centrally located on it. On its E side, a stone-built jetty (L 7-8m; Wth c. 0.7m), defined by two stone linear features, is visible beneath the waterline.
Following Fredengren (2002, 83-6), Curley (ibid., 28) suggests that the crannog could be classed as a high-cairn crannog and is possibly of late-medieval date. It may have been part of the historically attested ‘Callow cenn áit’ or lordly centre of the Ó Cellaig (O’Kelly) of Uí Maine and Tír Maine (ibid., 4, 27) and it may be connected with the castle (GA073-027----) on the shoreline c. 180m to the SSW. (Alcock et al. 1999, 30)

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 14 December 2022

References:

Alcock, O., de Hora, K. and Gosling, P. 1999 Archaeological Inventory of County Galway. Vol. II. North Galway. Dublin. Stationery Office.

Curley, D. 2021 Le triúcha chéd in Chalaidh a máeraidecht idir mincís agus mórthobach - Multidisciplinary approaches to recoverning an Ó Cellaig cenn áit in later medieval Uí Maine. Eolas 13, 2-42.

Fredengren, C. 2002 Crannogs: a study of people's interaction with lakes, with particular reference to Lough Gara in the north-west of Ireland. Bray. Wordwell.

References

Alcock, O., de Hora, K. and Gosling, P. 1999 Archaeological Inventory of County Galway. Vol. II. North Galway. Dublin. Stationery Office.