Booley hut

The National Monuments Service's description

This is one of six huts (MA084-0021---- to MA084-0026----), which occur in a cluster in an exposed site on commonage about halfway up the S flanks of Knockmore. The huts are situated at different levels on a very steep slope over a distance of c. 60m on either side of a small stream. They were most likely associated with booleying activities. This hut is situated on a very slight break of slope c. 10m NE of the present stream channel but only 5m from its older channel (now dry). The south-eastern end of the isolated wall (MA084-020----) lies 10m to W. Another hut (MA084-024----) lies 20.2m to S on the opposite bank of the stream and second (MA084-028----) lies 30.4m downslope to SE. The remains comprise the well- defined foundations of a rectangular house (3.7m NW–SE, 2.5m NE–SW). It is delimited by a low grassy bank of varying width (0.7–1.1m) and height (0.4m max. internally, 0.5m max. externally) that appears to mantle a stone core. A few stones protrude intermittently from the bank: one at mid-point on its inner face at NW may have been a facing stone. A gap (Wth 0.65m) towards the northern end of the north-eastern wall may mark the original entrance: two other narrow gaps in the south-western wall are probably the result of trampling by livestock.

A small annexe adjoins the house on its upslope (north-western) side. It is roughly D-shaped in plan (1.8m NW–SE, 2.1m NE–SW) and is delimited by a less substantial bank than the house (Wth 0.55m, H 0.2m). There is a well-defined entrance (Wth 0.6m) at NE, complete with one jamb stone on its north-western side. The grassy interiors of both the house and annexe are stone-free and slope gently towards SE.

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.