Barrow - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on high ground in mountainous area. Site consists of a low circular mound (diam. c. 10m; H 0.5m) enclosed by a poorly preserved fosse (Wth 1.3 - 3m at N; ext. D 3m at S) with no evidence of an outer bank. Site appears to have been quarried out of the side of the hill thus explaining the difference in external depth of fosse from N to S. Unusual location and morphology of site casts some doubt about its antiquity. One of a group of five barrows (OF037-008001/002/004/005-). According to local tradition these barrows are located on a hilltop which was the inauguration site of the O’Flanagans of Cinél Arga (Feehan 1979, 143). It is possible that these burial mounds form part of a ritual landscape associated with this inauguration site.

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: 09 August 2012

References

Feehan, J. 1979 The Landscape of the Slieve Bloom. A study of its natural and human heritage. Dublin. Blackwater.