Hut site

The National Monuments Service's description

New site identified by John Cronin & Associates (JCA) under Licence No. 16E0127 prior to wind farm development in Barnastooka, Kilgarvan, Co. Kerry by ESB Wind Development Ltd. The remains of a hut site consisting of roughly rectangular one-roomed structure aligned NW-SE. Located at ITM grid co-ord. 506701, 571452 on a short but steep grassy slope, with a rocky outcrop 8m to the east, and a stream 30m to the east. Overlooking an early 19th-century farmstead 150m to the south east. Dug into slope with up-cast material used to build eastern side wall and southern end wall. Wall material consists of medium- to large-sized stones and uncut slabs with earthen material between them and covering them. Interior contains fallen stones. No surviving evidence of roofing. Probable entrance in SW-corner of structure, with further fallen stones immediately outside that. This structure may be the remains of a booley hut that was abandoned below the establishment of aforementioned farmstead. Dimensions: Internal: 2.9m x 1.9m; External: 4m x 3.3m; Int. wall height: 0.8m; Avg. wall width: 0.7m.
Located c.12m to the E, at the bottom of the slope but still partly dug into it, is a smaller and more ephemeral circular feature. It is defined by a very low earthen bank, with an opening (marked by a stone on one side) facing east. This may be a storage clamp for butter/cheese associated with the booley hut. Dimensions of ancillary feature: Int. diameter: 0.7m; External dimensions: 1.6m x 2m.

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 Unpublished report.