Enclosure - large enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

On a ridge in undulating pastureland. Described by Cody (1989, 178-80, no. 35) as a circular enclosure (diam. 70m) bisected by a road from roughly NNW to SSW. It is defined by an earthen bank (Wth 3m; int. H 0.8m; ext. H 1m) from E to S. To the W of the road the bank was only visible in the SW sector where it was greatly eroded (Wth max. 7m; int. H 0.4m; ext. H 0.6m); this is clearly visible on an aerial photograph taken in 1970 (CUCAP BDN 68). Otherwise no visible surface trace of the bank survived. The section to the monument to the E of the road is within a modern graveyard. There are two burials in the interior, both alongside each other. A modern stone cross stands at the head of the more easterly one. A large wooden crucifix stands 2m to the S. A number of burials have been placed along the outer face of the bank from E to S. Knox (1918, 121 no. 23) refers to the monument as ‘Rathnacruacha’.

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 18 July 2019

References

Cody, E. 1989 An archaeological survey of the barony of Athenry, Co. Galway. Unpublished MA thesis, University College Galway.

Knox, H.T. 1917-18 Ballygurraun and Raheen group of works in earth and stone. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society 10, 101-124.