Barrow - ring-barrow

The National Monuments Service's description

On the Rathcroghan plateau, c. 70m E of Rathcroghan mound (RO022-057010-) and centrally placed between the arms of the avenue (RO022-057093-). Marked as a circular embanked enclosure (diam. c. 20m) on the 1837 ed. of the OS 6-inch map, it is described as a circular mound (diam. c. 13.5m) defined by a fosse (Wth c. 1m) with an outer bank (Wth c. 1.8m) and outer fosse (Wth c. 1.8m) (Knox 1914a, 14, ring No. 1).
It is visible now as a slight depression (diam. c. 21m). Geophysical survey confirms that it has two fosses (max. ext. diam. c. 26m) but appears to have causeways across them at WNW and ESE and there may be a central pit (diam. c. 4m). It appears to post-date ring-barrow (RO022-057013-), which is immediately to the N as its outer defining feature is slightly flattened at N. (Waddell et al. 2009, 151-2, 193). (Herity 1983, 130; 1988, 129, Tobberrory 15; Waddell 1983, 29, No. 4)

This is a National Monument in state ownership: No. 294.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 24 August 2010

References

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

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

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.

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.

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