Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

In rough ground on the margins of Ballyhaunis Golf Course, located on the flat summit of a high hill, towards the NE edge where the hill slope falls away steeply. The location provides excellent views in all direction
Not indicated on any edition of the OS maps. No upstanding remains of the enclosure are visible. It was extant in early 1900’s when recorded by Knox (1914, 42-3) who described it as ‘a low earthen ring, the garth about 1 foot [0.3m] and the ring about 2 feet [0.6m] above the field level, into which it fades, about 36 feet [11m] in diameter overall.’ The SW arc of the bank was already missing at that date.
A cross-inscribed stone (MA093-011002-) stands at the location. According to Knox this stone stood in the E half of the enclosure, close to the enclosing bank. A band (Wth c. 4m) of dense nettles and brambles, which curves around the stone at S and E, may mirror the SE curve of the enclosure bank. There is now no visible trace of the enclosure at ground level to N or W of the stone; a straight E-W field wall located 3m N of the cross-inscribed stone may overlie the N edge of the enclosure.

Attached image:
MA093-011001-_01.JPG Location of levelled enclosure, viewed from SW

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 7 December 2022

References

Knox, H.T. 1914 Ruins of Cruachain Ai. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 44, 1-50.