Ringfort - cashel

The National Monuments Service's description

Described by O'Kelly (1944, 22) as following; 'A circular stone rampart from 7' [2.1m] to 10' [3m] thick, built with a facing inside and out of large stones with a rubble core. There is no fosse. The entrance seems to have been on the E. side. On the outside of the fort and from the N. side of the entrance, a length of ancient fence runs out and turns southward continuing till it comes to the edge of the rock plateau on which the fort is built. The height of the rampart is 2' 6" [0.76m] to 3' [0.9m], and the overall diameter is 125' [38m]. In the neighbourhood of the fort ancient fences are visible'.
In 2004 this cashel was described as 'Downslope from the previous example [LI032-136----], this site is almost circular in plan, measuring 35m north-south internally. The enclosing stone bank contains evidence of coursing, but no entrance was noted. The interior of the site is uneven, but no definite features could be discerned. Also located on the same limestone terrace as the above examples are a series of stone and earth banks, as well as several subcircular enclosures, with other smaller ancillary enclosures attached. Other assorted field banks and small enclosures occur in the vicinity, but no definite pattern could be observed' (Condit and Coyne 2004).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 07 August 2019

See attached ASI aerial photographs ASIAP – 344/15 date taken 05/01/2003; 304/24 and 25 taken on 13/08/2002.

References

Condit, T. and Coyne, F. 2004 Knockainy Hill - a ceremonial landscape in County Limerick. Archaeology Ireland. Heritage Guide No. 27.

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.

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