Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated in area of rock outcrop 200m 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-). Attached to W side of Carraig Aille stone fort (LI032-053002-) with settlement cluster (LI032-053041-) and a second cashel (LI032-053003-) 40m to E and SE, three excavated stone structures (LI032-052----) were excavated by Ó Ríordáin in field to N.
Possible annexe to Carraig Aille 1 (LI032-053002-) described by Ó Ríordáin (1949, 55-6) as following; 'Below the fort on the western side is a level shelf or plateau about 120' in length and 35' broad, bounded on the eastern side by a vertical rock face above which stands the fort. On the west a wall was built above the rock face, which again, in most places is almost vertical. At the southern end of the plateau an entrance in the wall was marked by two large parallel stones. The entrance and selected areas were excavated with the hope of determining for what purpose and at what date the plateau had been enclosed and whether it had been utilised in connection with the fort. No dating evidence was forthcoming however, a flint flake being the only artifact found. A single very large post-hole (depth 2' [0.6m], diameter 4' [1.2m]) was found outside the entrance on the eastern side. That the method of supporting the gate was at some stage changed and the use of this post-hole discontinued, was shown by the fact that a large flat stone had been placed in the post-hole. Under the humus on the plateau, the surface, of clay or clay and gravel, formed a hard and level floor. This "floor", however, gave no evidence of having been deliberately laid down but was such as would have developed as a result of trampling. The plateau showed no signs of habitation and it seems more likely that it was used as a place for keeping cattle or horses. Since it was naturally fenced on the one side by the rock face, it was possible to enclose it by building a wall along the western side only. One could not say definitely that the enclosure was connected with the fort, but its position under the fort suggests that it could easily have been guarded from above, and it is likely that it was used by the fort dwellers as a cattle kraal'.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 24 May 2018

See attached ASI aerial photograph ASIAP – 349/5 taken 05/01/2003.

References

ASIAP - Archaeological Survey of Ireland Aerial Photographs (c. 1996 - c. 2010).

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

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