Barrow - stepped barrow

The National Monuments Service's description

No surface remains of mound situated on flat pastureland at the base of an esker ridge which has been partially quarried away in recent times. Depicted as a small enclosure on first two editions of the OS 6-inch maps. This feature is depicted as a landscaped feature rather than as an antiquity on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map On the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map this monument is depicted as a small enclosure 20m to the N of a family vault located in a demesne woodland associated with nearby Droughtville House. The monument is depicted differently on the revised 1908 ed. OS 25-inch map. On this map the monument is shown as a small mound standing on a wide berm with a similar plan to a stepped-barrow. A second enclosure or small mound (OF036-024----) is depicted 71m to the SE. It is possible that the monument was re-used when it was landscaped in the 18th/19th century. This possible monument is located on the demesne woodland associated with Droughtville House located 730m to the SW. Alternatively this feature may have been built as a landscape feature in the 18th/19th century by the occupants of Droughtville House.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload/revision: 30 December 2011