Crannog

The National Monuments Service's description

Located at a narrow point (Wth c. 100m) connecting the triangular E end (dims c. 700m E-W; c. 700m N-S) with the rectangular central part (dims c. 750m E-W; c. 500m N-S) of Lough Scur, and between Prison Island, Whiskey Island and Castle Island. This may be the ‘Caisleán Locha in Scoir’ to which Magnus O’Ruairc fled in 1390, having escaped from imprisonment at Lough Oughter Castle (CV020-060----). The annals (Ann. Conn) relate that he was betrayed at Lough Scur by Clan Murtagh and they killed him as he stepped out of his boat. This is an overgrown oval island (dims 10m N-S; 7m E-W; H 0.5m) of earth and stone surrounded by timber wattling which is visible intermittently in the water at S. It is only visible when lake water levels are low. It had been cut by a navigation channel at S, and was further damaged by navigational works during 2003.

The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Leitrim' compiled by Michael J. Moore (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2003). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of revised upload: 13 January 2017

References

Ann. Conn. - Annála Connacht, The Annals of Connacht, 1224-1544, ed. A. Martin Freeman (Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 1944)