Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on summit of a low, oblong, rounded hillock in the commonage to NE of Knocknaveen (known locally as ‘Glan Hill’). The hillock overlooks the lower reaches of the stream labelled ‘Pollbrandy’ on Ordnance Survey six-inch maps, but is in turn overlooked by higher ground immediately to SSW. Three fulachtaí fia are visible from the enclosure, the closest (MA085-005004-) lying c. 60m to WSW on opposite bank of the stream. There is also a small circular hut (MA085-071----) c. 15m to W between the enclosure and the stream.

The site comprises a possible settlement area, forming a very rough oval in plan, on the rounded grassy summit of the hillock (E–W c.18.6m, N–S >17.5m). Its limits are poorly defined and are indicated more by an absence of stone rather than by any clearly demarcated enclosing element. Along the western, north-western and northern sectors, its limits are comprised of a scarp composed of earthfast boulders. At NE an area of boulders indicate the limits. From NE through E to SE, its limits are suggested by nothing more than an increase in the amount of visible surface stone. Finally, the southern boundary is clearly defined by a sudden upward break of slope and a scatter of boulders. Within the interior, the most notable feature is a line of six small set boulders (L 7.2m), running N–S, which crown the hillock summit. Two further boulders at the southern end appear to indicate a turn towards S. These could possibly represent the remains of a house foundation but are more likely to be the last vestiges of a turf stack. Two hut hollows may, however, be associated with the settlement area (MA085-072----) that is set into the base of the hill slope to S and the oval hut (MA085-073----) that is set into the eastern slope of the hillock just outside its limits.

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.