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. Irregularly shaped dry-stone enclosure, rectangular in shape in southern portion but tapers to a narrow point in its northern portion (ITM grid co-ord. 506996, 571555). Measures 22m in length (N-S) by 12m (max) in width (E-W) at its southern end and c.2.5m in width (E-W) at its northern end. Walls are constructed by randomly sized and shaped dry-stones which are generally horizontally stacked but occasional diagonally/vertically placed stones are also evident, particularly along the southern wall where a 1.5m wide entrance is centrally placed. An overgrown narrow trackway approaches this entrance from the south. The walls of the enclosure are generally are 1 to 2 courses or 0.4m to 0.8m wide and up to 4 courses or c.0.8m high. They are most intact along the southern, eastern and northern sides, with partial collapse evident along the western side where erosion from an adjacent watercourse has undermined this section of dry-stone wall. The interior of the feature is uneven with frequent rush growth, indicative of fertilisation from the dung of animals which were likely kept within the enclosure. It is situated to the immediate east of a gullied stream and is most likely associated with 18th /19th century agriculture.

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 Unpublished report.