Hillfort

The National Monuments Service's description

Prominently located at the end of a N-S ridge. A circular area (diam. c. 112m) defined by a massive bank (Wth c. 10.6m; int. H c. 3.5m; ext. H c. 1m) and external fosse except at NE. Possible entrance at ESE. Well in fosse at E.
The hillfort was recently described in the Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland as following; 'Large multiple enclosure surrounding the domed summit of Boley Hill, on the NE edge of the Castlecomer Hills. Widely spaced enclosing elements with a total site footprint of approximately 28.1ha. There is a simple break in the SW of the inner enclosing elements. Natural spring located in the ditch of the inner enclosing elements at the E. No evidence for any internal features on the surface. Inner rampart survives well throughout its circuit. The possible outer enclosing element survives as a curving field boundary in the W. This is concentric with the inner enclosing element. The remainder is likely to have been destroyed. Interior is under pasture. Tree cover within the interior of the inner enclosing elements. First map identification in first edition Ordnance Survey mapping. Monument survey by Sweetman et al. (1995, 16).' (http://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk/records/IR0738.html).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: David Sweetman

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 6 February 2020

References

Lock, G. and Ralston, I. 2017 Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland.(Online website at https://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk)