Habitation site

The National Monuments Service's description

Located on the SE side of Inishkea South, bordering a cobble storm beach on a rocky shoreline.
This enigmatic monument consists of an elongated irregular-shaped mound/sand-hill (c. 25m ENE−WSW; Wth 8-16m; H 1-2m) which incorporates upright stones and has a rough, surface cladding of large stones and slabs. The thin sod cover is eroded in parts revealing the sandy core of the mound. A shell midden (MA023-032002-) is exposed in section in the SW slope.
The mound is broader and higher at its W end where it forms a subcircular domed rise (c. 16m NNE−SSW; 13.5m WNW−ESE; H 1.2m at NE, 2m at SW) with a roughly-piled cairn of stones (diam. c. 1.6m; H 0.8m) crowning the narrow summit, and a rough kerb of stones towards the base at the S−SW. The ‘kerb’ incorporates at least four upright slabs set radially in the mound, spaced 1-2m apart, with horizontally-laid stones filling the intervening gaps; it is possible that some of these stones are the remnants of a structure or house. Other stones are heaped against the mound slope forming a rough cladding. At SW a low, partly sod-covered rough ‘wall’ (Wth 0.4-0.5m; H 0.2m) extends up the mound slope; this overlies the mound and appears to be a relatively late feature.
The eastern extension of the mound is lower and narrower (c. 8-10m N−S; 13-14m E−W; H c. 1m) with two small peaks along its undulating spine, also with patchy cladding of large stones.
It is not possible to determine the exact nature of this monument but it may incorporate an early habitation site.

Attached images:
MA023-032001-_01.JPG viewed from N
MA023-032001-_02.JPG SW end, viewed from NW
MA023-032001-_03.JPG SW end, viewed from W

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 28 July 2022