Hut site

The National Monuments Service's description

Rectangular hut-site aligned NW-SE built on a platform cut out from steep facing slope overlooking the Geeragh stream 150m to W which marks townland boundary with Anglesborough. This building is depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map and subsequent OSi maps. Listed as Knocknascrow 2 (Costello 2016, 306-7). Present remains consist of a rectangular-shaped area (ext. dims. 7.66m x 5.1m; int. dims. 6.3m x 3.66) enclosed by a well built coursed earth and stone wall (avg. H 0.5m; avg. T 0.65m) with entrance (Wth 0.8m) in S side wall. The E end wall (ext. H 0.7m) is the best preserved while the N and W side walls (avg. int. H 0.4m, ext. H 0.25m) are lower. The foundation stones of a possible internal wall are visible at the W end of the structure. There is a small and badly ruined annexe at the SE corner of the hut unconnected with the interior of the main structure. It is possible that this was used as a store for dairy produce (Costello 2016, 92). Further downslope, to the S, are two low banks running W in the direction of the Geeragh stream. Starting from a single point, they diverge to form two sides of a triangular piece of land. They may be associated with drainage, although cultivation ridges which might consequently be expected could not be discerned in the vicinity due to heather growth.

See attached photographs courtesy of Dr. Eugene Costello

Compiled by: Dr Eugene Costello

Date of upload: 25 August 2020

References

Costello, E. 2016 Upland transhumance practices in Ireland, and their role in post-medieval settlement and society, c.1550-1900 AD. Unpublished doctoral thesis, NUI Galway.

Costello, E. 2016 Seasonal settlement and the interpretation of upland archaeology in the Galtee Mountains, Ireland. Landscape History 37(1), 87-98.