Burial

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture in an area known locally as Óenach Clochar, 115m E of townland boundary with Mitchelstowndown North. Westropp (1917-19, 67) described the Óenach Clochar as an ancient Celtic landscape and likened it to Tara, Telltown and Brugh na Bóinne in Co. Meath, and nearby Knockainey Hill, Co. Limerick. Ringfort (LI041-013011-) excavated by Marten Stenberger in 1966 and the remains of a hut site (LI041-013019-), souterrain (LI041-013020-) and burials (LI041-013021-) were uncovered.
Excavations by Stenberger (1966, 38) were undertaken in about four-fifths of the enclosure (LI041-013011-), and in addition, three sections were cut through the bank and the fosse to the west, east and south. Excavations in the centre of the interior revealed a possible round hut (LI041-013019-) with entrance at NW and a hearth (II) with a date of 1430±130 = A.D. 520. A souterrain (LI041-013020-) was revealed in the S abutting the inside of the bank, orientated NNW-SSE. A hearth (III) was revealed during excavation in the S of the souterrain contained finds of a iron leather-scorer, animal bones and bone combs. Radiocarbon dates from postholes at the entrance of the souterrain dated to 1430±130 = AD 520 and 1260±120 = AD 690. Two skeletons were revealed to the NE of the souterrain, orientated NNE-SSW, both had an iron knife blade to the right of the skulls'. Ringfort clearly visible on Digital Globe orthoimage taken between 2011-13 and on Google Earth orthoimages.

See attached plan of ringfort and photograph of souterrain and burial taken from Stenberger (1966), and Google Earth orthoimage

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 4 August 2021

References

Stenberger, M. 1966 A ringfort at Raheenamadra, Knocklong, Co. Limerick. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 65C, 37-54.