Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Crannog
Ballybeg (tirawley By., Ballynahaglish Par.), County Mayo, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Ballybeg (tirawley By., Ballynahaglish Par.)
- County
- Mayo
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Gull Island
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 54.06839, -9.17789
- SMR number
- MA039-071----
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1753 "Mappa geographica Regni Hiberniae" (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
In a flat expanse of wet pasture, formerly a lake, which is named Ballybeg Lough on the 1838 OS 6-inch map.
This possible crannog is shown on the 1838 OS 6-inch map as a circular island, named ‘Gull Island’, located in the centre of Ballybeg Lough; by the time of the 1930 edition, the lake had been drained and the island is not shown. It consists of a low, subcircular grass-covered rise or platform (15.4m E–W; 14.5m N–S) defined by a low, broadly sloping scarp (H 0.4-0.5m), and is distinguished by a covering of rich green grass which differs from the surrounding rough bog sedges. A band (Wth 3m) of rushes encircles it. The platform appears to be composed of peaty soil incorporating some stones, but no features are visible to definitively confirm that it is an artificial construction rather than a natural island. A few hawthorn, holly and willow bushes grow around the perimeter.
Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy
Date of upload: 25 March 2020
Nearby in the register
- Ringfort - rathunder 1 mi
- Ringfort - rathunder 1 mi
- Enclosureunder 1 mi
- Megalithic tomb - court tombunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.