Linear earthwork

The National Monuments Service's description

In level pasture, on the S-facing edge of a terrace, on the N-bank of the Camoge River. A ringfort (LI031-001----) is located 190m to WNW. The location is not recorded as an antiquity on historic OSi maps, although a field boundary (orientated E-W) is depicted along the terrace that runs parallel and above the N bank of the river. The field boundary is located parallel with the earthworks and is visible on both the OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthophotos taken 2011-2013.
Inspected by the ASI in 2005 and recorded as numerous low-lying undulations and low raised areas located on level ground on the N-bank of Camoge River and on the scarp that form a terrace along the river. A linear bank (L59m; Wth 4.0m; int. H 0.45m; ext. H 0.7m at river side) orientated E-W flanks the base of a natural high scarp. There is a gap (Wth c. 5m) in this bank roughly midway, and there are two linear mounds splayed outward toward river. A field boundary (orientated N-S) depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map has been removed. A level area of ground (Wth 2.2m) lies immediately behind the bank to the N. The bank and level area appear to be the remainder of the ‘battle trench’. The natural scarp (Wth 5.3m; H 2.65m) has a level area of ground (Wth 1.5-2m) on top, and the ground rises again to the N where a field boundary marks the S edge of a field in pasture. The earthworks are visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 05/04/2006; 16/03/2016; 25/03/2017 and 14/02/2020. Recent earthmoving and excavation works have been undertaken at the W end of the monument as recorded on Google Earth orthoimages taken 14/02/2020.
Human remains were discovered in the field above the earthworks during land improvement works a number of decades ago (c. 1960 or earlier, based on local information in 2005 from the landowner). The earthworks are known locally as ‘Clash na Marbh’ or trench of the dead. According to local history, a battle was fought here in 1369 AD (associated with the Battle of Mainister). The landowner remembers his father telling a story of how when mounds on the high ground (to N of the terrace) were being levelled years ago, human bones were found. The area was covered back over. Local historian, Danny Quaine of The Mainister Local History Group, confirmed this tradition (pers. comm.) of the battle was between Brian Cath an Aonaigh and the Fitzgeralds (Desmonds). An area of the Camoge River (to NE of battle site) known as ‘Poill an Cro’ or the pool of blood. This was an extremely deep pool (measuring 8ft deep in summer, Mark Reidy pers. comm.) and was part of the battle site. Dredging works on the river have significantly altered the river and its immediate bank. Monasteranenagh Abbey (LI031-050004-) was in possession of the fishing rights and maintained an eel-weir to immediate NE of the battle site. The weir was destroyed, according to Quaine, during dredging works.

See attached Google Earth orthoimages

Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan

Date of upload: 28 October 2020