Barrow - ring-barrow

The National Monuments Service's description

In pastureland, c. 30m to the NW of another much-larger ring-barrow (GA114-089----) and clearly visible on an aerial photograph taken in 1970 (CUCAP BDN 37). This ring-barrow (diam. c. 15.6m), which was partially excavated by Macalister (1917, 508-11) in 1916, comprised a central flat-topped mound (diam. c. 5.3m; H 0.6m) encircled by a fosse and external bank. Macalister examined an area (diam. c. 1.5m) in the centre of the mound and found three scattered unprotected cremations, some glass beads and a fragment of a bone pin. He suggested an Iron Age date for the monument. It was re-excavated in 1969 by E. Rynne (pers. comm.) who discovered traces of seven to nine cremations, most of which were concentrated in the fosse at NW and SE. Other finds included fragments of fibulae, glass and bone beads and a gaming piece. The monument has since been quarried out and no visible surface trace survives. (Armstrong 1923, 3)

Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG

Date of upload: 12 August 2019

References

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

Armstrong, E.C.R. 1923 The La Tene period in Ireland. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 53, 1-33.

Macalister, R.A.S. 1916-17 A report on some excavations recently conducted in Co. Galway. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 33C 508-11.