Enclosure - large enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Around a natural knoll (dims c. 32m NE-SW; c. 28m NW-SE; H 2m at SE to 3m at NW) on a gentle S-facing slope of the Rathcroghan plateau. Circular grass-covered area (int. diam. c. 74m) defined by an earthen bank (at E: Wth 7.4m; int. H 1.4m; ext. H 2.2m) and outer fosse (at W: Wth of top 9.3m; Wth of base 4.5m; D 0.4m), which is obscured by a modern road bank E-S (max. ext. diam. c.110m N-S). The probable entrance (Wth 6m) is at SSE. Geophysical testing failed to record evidence of any internal structures or activities, apart from what might be an episode of burning on the summit of the knoll (Waddell et al. 2009, 58-66). Described as a possible ring-barrow (Herity 1983, 132; 1988, 131, Glenballythomas 3). (Knox 1911, 221; 1914a, 13; Waddell 1983, 33-5; 1988, 8, No. 23)

This is a National Monument in state ownership: No. 473

See the attached aerial images taken from NW(001) and NE (007).

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 24 August 2010

References

Waddell, J., Fenwick, J. and Barton, K. 2009 Rathcroghan: archaeological and geophysical survey in a ritual landscape. Dublin. Wordwell.

Knox, H.T. 1911 The Croghans and Some Connacht Raths and Cashels. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 41, 93-116, 205-40, 301-42.

Waddell, J. 1983 Rathcroghan - a royal site in Connaught. Journal of Irish Archaeology 1, 21-46.

Waddell, J. 1988 Rathcroghan in Connacht. Emania 5, 5-18.

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

Herity, M. 1988 A survey of the royal sites of Cruachain in Connacht Roscommon. IV. Ancient field systems at Rathcroghan and Carnfreee. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 117-118, 67-84.

Herity, M. 1983 A survey of the royal site of Cruachain in Connacht, 1. Introduction, the monuments and topography. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 113, 121-42.