Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

In rough pasture, located on a slight S-facing slope, overlooking the Deel River which is 80m to S, and marks the townland boundary. There is a farmstead immediately to S. Extensive expanses of bog stretch to N, now largely planted with forestry.
Slightly raised subcircular area (26m N–S; 24m E–W) defined by a substantial bank (Wth 3m at E, 5m at N; int. H 0.5-0.9m; ext. H 0.6-0.9m) of earth and stone. According to local information, the interior was tilled and used as a potato garden until the late 20th-century. Access is through a gap (Wth 2m) at S. The interior is grassy; the perimeter is ringed with hazel and ash trees.
The nature of this enclosure is uncertain. On the 1838 and 1922 6-inch maps it is outlined by a single solid line rather than by hachuring or other conventions used to denote ringforts. On both maps it is shown incorporated into the cluster of fields that surround a farmstead. It may be a rath that was adapted to serve as a field enclosure, or it may simply be an enclosure contemporary with the vernacular farmstead.

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 24 July 2019