Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Located on a low natural rise or hillock with a southerly aspect, underlying a rath (MA038-004----). In 2002-3 an excavation (02E0598) was carried out on the northern half of the rath in advance of road construction (Zajac 2011). It revealed evidence of an enclosure defined by a narrow fosse, which predated the construction of the rath. The fosse (Wth 0.6-1m at top; D 0.4-0.8m) underlay the later rath bank, and was traced in an arc W–NE. It varied in profile from U-shaped to V-shaped, and appeared too shallow and insubstantial to be defensive in nature. It is thought to be pre-historic in date, most likely associated with a Neolithic habitation site (MA038-004001-), which underlay the rath. The enclosed space may even have had a ceremonial or ritual dimension (ibid. 338).
Part of the enclosure, extended beyond the road take and remains unexcavated, underlying the S side of the rath. (Zajac 2011).

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 23 July 2019

References

Zajak, S. 2011 Excavations of a ringfort at Carrowkeel, Co. Mayo. In C. Corlett and M. Potterton (eds) Settlement in Early Medieval Ireland in the Light of Recent Archaeological Excavations. Research Papers in Irish Archaeology, 3, 331-343. Bray: Wordwell.