Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Located on a level expanse of sandy machair grassland, broken by extensive granite outcropping. The enclosure is sited in a sheltered grassy ‘bay’ bordered in a rough arc at SW−N by exposed bedrock. Approximately 15-20m to N, a rocky scarp drops to a lower level of flat, damp pasture.
This enclosure consists of an ovoid area (27.5m NNW−SSE; 16.5m ENE−WSW) defined by a low, sod-covered bank (Wth 2.5-3m; H 0.4m) of sandy soil. The interior is flat and featureless, with little noticeable difference in level with exterior ground level. The enclosing bank has a gently rounded, broadly slumped profile, and is clearly defined for most of its circuit, distinguished by vegetation cover which is slightly darker in colour than that of the surrounding ground. At the narrow N-NE end of the enclosure, however, the bank is barely discernible, merging with a very slightly raised subrectangular area or platform (c. 6-7m N-S; 6m E−W; H 0.2m), of uncertain significance, which lies immediately outside the enclosure.
The function and date of this rather unusual enclosure are unknown. The sandy bank appears too low and insubstantial to have ever functioned effectively as a barrier, though it may have served as a base support for a timber fence.
It should be noted that the flat area immediately to S of the enclosure is shown on the 1838 OS 6-inch map as a lake (max. dim. c. 100m) named Lackakeely Lough, drained by a stream extending to N. At the date of visit, the ground was dry and there was no trace of the lake, but a small stream was evident c. 35-40m to E of the enclosure. It is possible that the lake is/was a form of turlough, filling only in winter or during periods of very wet weather. It is unclear how the enclosure relates to this.

Images:
MA105-019----_01.JPG Enclosure viewed from NE
MA105-019----_02.JPG Low subrectangular platform at N end of enclosure
MA105-019----_03.JPG Enclosing bank at E, viewed from N

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 25 October 2017