Hilltop enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

On a low limestone hill, known as Kilbradran Hill, which dominates a generally flat low-lying terrain. The enclosure is located at the N end of the hill's summit (see plan Westropp 1916-1917, 29). It is formed of two roughly concentric lines of defence: the inner earth-and-stone bank encloses an oval area (29m N-S; 25m E-W), whilst the outer earthen bank also encloses an oval area (70m N-S; 58m E-W). The banks are closest at ENE (c. 15m apart) and furthest apart at S (c. 22m apart). The outer bank is downhill of the inner bank except SE->SW where both are roughly at the same altitude. According to Westropp (ibid.) the inner bank was 'stone-faced inside and out', but it now survives as a sod-covered earth-and-stone bank (int. H 0.4m; ext. H 1.65m) best preserved NNW->ENE and largely free of vegetation overgrowth. There are openings through the bank at E (Wth 3.5m) and S (Wth 3.6m). Along the external base of the bank is a shallow fosse (D 0.3m; Wth 1.1m) partially infilled with rubble derived from the bank. The enclosed area slopes down sharply to the E and is under pasture with limestone bedrock exposed in places.
The outer earthen bank (int. H 0.25m; ext. H 2.6m) is best preserved SW->NW, and is partially covered by bushes and overgrowth. There are openings in the bank at NNE (Wth 8m) and ESE (Wth 6.1m). A shallow external fosse (D 0.1m; Wth 1.25m) is evident SSE->NNW. From NNW to the opening in the bank at NNE a narrow terrace (Wth c. 4m) runs along the external face of the bank, this continues as a terraced passageway (Wth c. 4m) to the opening in inner bank at E where it fades out; Westropp (ibid., 30) describes this feature as the remains of 'an ancient road'. A low indistinct earthen bank (H c. 0.3m) runs downhill from external bank at NNE for 25.6m before running roughly concentric with the external bank to ESE where it runs back uphill for 18m and meets the external bank again.

The monument was recently described in the Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland as following; 'Circular multiple enclosure on summit of Kilbradran Hill. This hilltop dominates the surrounding flat, low-lying terrain. The summit offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The hillfort has a total site footprint of 0.4ha. Bivallate for most of its circuit, the NE and E section of the enclosing elements have been truncated by a Post-Medieval road. Possible annex to the N recorded by Westropp is now destroyed (1916-1917, 29). Four possible original entrances consisting of two simple gaps in the inner bank and two simple gaps in the outer enclosing elements. No evidence for any internal features on the surface. Ramparts survive well to N, S and W with some tree cover on the banks. First map depiction in first edition Ordnance Survey mapping. More detailed earthwork survey in second edition Ordnance Survey maps. Earthwork survey by Westropp in 1916.' (http://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk/records/IR0685.html)

Compiled by: Denis Power

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 30 January 2020

References

Westropp, T.J. 1916-17 On certain typical earthworks and ring walls in Co. Limerick. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 33C, 9-42, 444-92.

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