Road - road/trackway

The National Monuments Service's description

McCaffrey (1952, 81, no. 38, Fig. 9a, 193) presented a detailed plan indicating the line of a possible irregularly shaped ecclesiastical enclosure (290m ENE-WSW; 125m N-S) at the 'Monastic site' at Drumacoo. A gap at NNW may have been the original entrance. However, the 1933 edition of the OS 6-inch map indicates that the suggested line of the enclosure is, in fact, two/three roadways, which may have formerly accessed the site. The N roadway curves from roughly NW to E with a splayed gap at NNW. Only slight traces are now visible at ground level of the section running from NE to E. From NE to ENE it is defined by a slight indentation (Wth 5m; D 0.1m) and from ENE to E by the foundation lines of a wall (Wth 1.6m-1.8m; H 0.5m). Aerial reconnaissance in 1964 (CUCAP AJU 19) revealed the section from N to NE as a cropmark; otherwise no visible surface trace survives. The second road/trackway is shown on both the 1838 and 1933 map editions, extending off the previous one at ENE and curving towards the S and to the W of the church (GA103-118001-). It may also have accessed the holy well (GA103-118005-). A short section of it (L 23m; Wth 4m), running NE-SW, is visible c. 92m to the E of the church, where it is delimited by two lines of irregularly placed large limestone boulders. A bullaun stone (GA103-118007-) is visible on the S line close to the NNW-SSE running field boundary that cuts it. At its NE end it changes direction sharply and runs NW-SE.

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Updated by: Olive Alcock

Date of revised upload: 10 February 2020

References

McCaffrey, P. 1952 A contribution to the archaeology of the barony of Dunkellin, Co. Galway. Unpublished MA thesis, National University of Ireland, Galway.

CUCAP - Cambridge University Collection of Aerial Photographs. Unit for Landscape Modelling, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge. See:https://www.cambridgeairphotos.com