Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

In level low-lying terrain on Aughinish Island; area of site now occupied by industrial complex. Site described in 1974 as 'an approximately circular platform-like area demarcated by the remains of an earthen bank in the south and east and a high embankment at north and west. A field wall and fossway cuts off the southern segment ... dimensions east-west 40m ... covered with blackthorn ... probably a rath' (Byrne 1996, 5). In 1993 a further inspection of the site revealed a slightly curving raised platform ... probably the surviving north-east quadrant of the mounment' which was covered by 'dense growth' (O Rahilly 1993, 1). Archaeological excavation at the site in 1996, prior to its incorporation into an industrial complex (Aughinish Alumina), produced no finds or features of an archaeological nature, leading to the conclusion that 'the site may be of no archaeological significance' (Byrne 1996, 10).

Compiled by: Denis Power

Date of upload: 26 August 2011

References

O'Rahilly, C. 1993 Archaeological report on site at Aughinish West, Co. Limerick. Unpublished report submitted to Office of Public Works.

Byrne, M.E. 1996 The results of an archaeological evaluation undertaken at the site of an enclosure in the townland of Aughinish West, Co. Limerick. Unpublished report. National Monuments Section, Heritage and Planning Division, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin.