Structure

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated in area of rock outcrop 130m E of a small lake that was drained in the 19th century and which formed part of Lough Gur. The small lake had two islands known as 'Balie Islands' which are the remains of two crannóga (LI032-039001-/002-). Carraig Aille fort (LI032-053002-), a deserted settlement (LI032-053041-) and two cashels (LI032-053001-/003-) lie 50m to SE. Described by O'Kelly (1944, 25) as one of three small enclosures situated on NW slope of Carraig Aille Hill. He described them as following; 'There are three enclosures formed of rough standing stones and in places where it was convenient, the natural rock outcrop has been utilised. They were excavated but the results were entirely negative' (O'Kelly 1944, 25). Listed by Ó Ríordáin (1954, 458) as 'Id' and described as 'Stone enclosures' associated with Carraig Aille stone fort (LI032-053001-). Site excavated by Ó Ríordáin who listed the monument as Site 3 and described it as 'structures north-west of Carraig Aille' (Ó Ríordáin 1949, 40).
These structures were described by Ó Ríordáin (1949, 56-7) as following; 'On the hill-slope north-west of Carraig Aille I [LI032-053002-] was a group of structures whose outlines were marked by very large stones (some over 3' [0.9m] in height) which might be described as megalithic in character. The rock face, also about 3' [0.9m] in height, was utilised to form one side of a structure (C). The outlines of the enclosures so formed were very irregular and differed considerably in size. A, the one farthest to the south, was completely outlined by standing stones and no entrance was apparent either before or after excavation. B was less completely enclosed and C was only very inadequately closed on the north side, where the upright stones near the north-west corner were small and did not appear before excavation. The dimensions of A were approximately 14' [4.3m] by 12' [3.7m]. B was somewhat smaller but C was much larger, about 26' [8m] by 18' [5.5m]. The stones on the western side of the structures served as much to bank up the raised interior as to enclose the areas, the interior being about 2½' [0.75m] higher than the ground to the west. On excavation it was found that a considerable amount of stones had been piled around the uprights and had, in part, served to keep them in position. The only finds were a small quantity of animal bones and no datable evidence or artifact of any kind was discovered. In the neighbourhood of the structures are other evidences of ancient activity. About 33 yards to the north of the group is a plateau approximately semi-circular in outline, its straight side formed by the rock and the curved side on the west by an edging of upright stones which served to terrace the enclosed area. Immediately south-west of the group is a similarly enclosed area, about 25 yards across. The absence of post-holes and the irregular construction of the group make it likely that these structures were not intended for human habitation and suggest that they were rather unroofed pens for animals probably sheep. The whole group was possibly connected with the neighbouring forts on Carraig Aille [LI032-053002-/001-/003-]'.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 24 May 2018

References

O'Kelly, M.J. 1944 A survey of the antiquities in the barony of Small County, Co. Limerick. North Munster Antiquarian Journal 4, 16-53.

Ó Ríordáin, S.P. 1949 Lough Gur excavations: Carraig Aille and the Spectacles. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 52 C, 39-111.

Harbison, P. 1970 (Reprint 1992) Guide to the national monuments in the Republic of Ireland. Dublin. Gill and Macmillan.

Ó Ríordáin, S.P. 1954 Lough Gur excavations: Neolithic and Bronze Age houses on Knockadoon. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 56C, 297-460.