Enclosure - large enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Shown on both Noble and Keenan's (1752) and Taylor’s (1783) maps of County Kildare as a large oval enclosure, only approximately half of which survives from S-W-N as a C-shaped feature (int. diam. c. 230m N-S), as depicted on the latest ed. (1910) of the OS 6-inch map. Lies at the N end of an extensively quarried N-S ridge, with a motte and bailey (KD024-026----) at the other end of the ridge c. 700m to the SSW. The surviving remains comprise an inner earthen bank (int H 0.2-1.5m; Wth 4.9-6.4m; ext. H 0.4-3.8m), a fosse (Wth 2.6-3.4m), and a second, outer bank (int. H 0.6-1.6m; Wth 3.9-8.2m; ext. H 0.4-3.8m). The area enclosed slopes down, steeply in places, from the surviving portion of inner bank, giving an amphitheatre-like effect: the internal slope may, however, be the result of quarrying. Aerial photographs (GSI N333-5) show the faint cropmarks of two widely spaced, concentric circular features (est. max. diam. c. 100m), towards the S end of the site. The monument is comparable to one in Grangebeg townland (KD027-005----) which, although smaller, has a similar enclosing element.

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy

Date of upload: 14 June 2012

This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 10/1972).