Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

New site identified by John Cronin & Associates (JCA) under Licence No. 16E0127 prior to wind farm development in Coolnagoppoge, Kilgarvan, Co. Kerry by ESB Wind Development Ltd. A partially raised rectangular enclosure located c. 150m northeast of NICH09 at ITM Grid Co-ordinate 507261, 571663. The enclosure measures 18m by 10m in total and is aligned NE-SW, with its southern downslope end raised 0.8m above the surrounding ground in order to create a level internal surface. On this end, there is no actual enclosing wall or bank – its edge is simply defined by the fact that it raised above what is outside. Further north and west, as one follows the enclosure upslope, it becomes level or almost level with the surrounding ground. It is defined on the western side and northern end by a 0.5m-wide stone and earth bank that varies in height from 0.1m to 0.3m. However, the lower eastern side is still somewhat raised above the natural surface outside (by approx. 0.4m), and has a ditch running parallel to it (1m deep when measured against interior of enclosure). Traces of a possible shallower ditch were also noted just outside the western side. Much of the enclosure’s interior along with some land immediately outside it is now covered by rushes, although the site is still drier than the rest of this hillslope. Its function is not certain. It seems too large to have served simply as a place for drying peat or gathering cocks of hay (made from fionnán or purple moor grass). More likely is that it served as a large pen for livestock. This may have included human occupation since a level space for a possible hut (measuring 3.8m east to west by 2.6m north to south) was noted at the southern end of the enclosure.

See attached photograph courtesy John Cronin.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by John Cronin

Date of upload: 7 April 2022

References

Cronin, J. et. al. 2018 Grousemount Wind Farm, Kilgarvan, County Kerry Preliminary Final Archaeological Report. Excavation Licence: 16E0127. Prepared by: David Murphy and Dr. Eugene Costello, John Cronin & Associates On behalf of ESB Wind Development Ltd. Unpublished report.