Booley hut

The National Monuments Service's description

This is one of eight huts (MA084-004001- to MA084-004008-) ranged in a cluster around the N and NE sides of a small natural basin or fold, through which a stream flows, on the lower SW slopes of Knockmore. A notable feature of this cluster is that the huts tend to occur in pairs. The location is locally named ‘Prawke’, and, according to tradition, the huts were associated with booleying. This hut sits at the north-western end of the narrow terrace on the north-eastern slopes of the basin, 13m to E and upslope from a house (MA084-004007-). Another hut (MA084-004006-) lies 4.5m further along the terrace to SE.

It comprises the foundations of a small hut, in good condition, almost square in plan (NE–SW 2.9m, NW–SE 2.3m) with an annexe at the north-western end. The hut is defined by a low grassy bank (Wth c. 0.75m, H 0.3m max.) that appears to mantle a stony core. Large angular stones (max. dim. c. 0.5m) protrude through the sward along the north-eastern and north-western sides, in particular. The south-western wall is poorly defined, blending in with the scarped edge of the terrace. Three small stones protruding from the base of the bank along the south-western side may be a remnant of an external facing. No trace of an entrance is visible although there is a narrow gap at S corner: possibly modern. The interior is strewn with large stones, partly grassed-over.

The annexe, roughly D-shaped in plan (NW–SE 1.9m, NE–SW 2.1m), is a more flimsy affair, defined by a faint grassy ridge: one stone protrudes at the south-western corner. A gap (Wth 0.6m) on the south-western side appear to mark the entrance.

The above description is derived from: New Survey of Clare Island. Volume 5: Archaeology. Edited by Paul Gosling, Conleth Manning and John Waddell. (Royal Irish Academy, Dublin. 2007). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated.

Date of upload: 29 November 2018

References

Gosling, P., Manning, C. and Waddell, J. (eds.) 2007 New Survey of Clare Island, Volume 5: Archaeology. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy.