Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Located on a level blanket bog- and heather-covered terrace on the W shoulder of Croagh Patrick, at the intersection of four townlands. The location provides S-facing views, overlooking Lough Nacorra.
This possible enclosure encompasses a large subtriangular area (90m N–S; 95m E–W at S) with the narrow apex at N. No enclosing wall or bank is now evident, but a local traditional name, ‘Garraí Mór’, suggests that an enclosing element may once have existed. Its outline is defined now by a path or track worn by the feet of pilgrims following the traditional ‘Turas’ or pilgrimage route –this outline is recorded on the 1938 and 1920 OS 6-inch maps by a double dashed line, and is clearly visible in current aerial imagery.
The main focus of the ‘Turas’ here is the cluster of three cairns or penitential stations (MA087-043003-; MA087-043004-; MA087-043005-) located within the enclosure at its NW edge. The name ‘Roilig Mhuire’ (Mary’s cemetery), recorded on the OS 6-inch maps, hints at a more complex history: the cairns may be prehistoric burial sites, indicative of an ancient root to the religious significance of Croagh Patrick, later incorporated into a Christian context.
The 1838 OS Letters detail the ‘pattern’ or round of prayers, recording that, having completed the visit to the summit, the pilgrim ‘then descends by another precipitous path leading from the summit of the southwest extremity of the Cone or Cruach where the most important of the Penitential Leachts or Monuments is situated. It is called Roilig Mhuire i.e., the Virgin’s Cemetery, by some and Garrae Mor (Garraé) or Great Enclosure by others. It consists of three distinct circles at each of which the Pilgrim repeats seven Paters, seven Aves, and one Creed, and around each he travels on his knees seven times. The Turas or Pilgrimage is then finished.’ (O’Flanagan 1927, 217 (436-7)).

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 19 March 2020

References

O'Flanagan, Rev. M. (Compiler) 1927 Letters containing information relative to the antiquities of the county of Mayo collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1838. Bray.