Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

On a SE-facing slope at the E end of the Carnfree ridge, and surrounding the church (RO028-075005-) and all other features. Oval enclosure (dims 130m E-W; 88m N-S) defined by an earth and stone bank best preserved at N (Wth 3m; max. int. H 0.8m; max. ext. H 1m) but frequently reduced to a scarp (H 0.2-0.5m) and largely removed N-E. It has an out-turned entrance (Wth 4m) at E with a rectangular platform (RO028-075007-) inside the entrance on the N side. It encloses the bivallate enclosure (RO028-075009-) recorded in remote sensing (06R0081). Excavation (06E0655) of a section of the perimeter at S reveals it is a drystone-built wall (Wth 2m). A charcoal filled trench outside it at S is interpreted as a corn-drying kiln (RO028-075013-) (Shanahan 2006, 7; 2009a, 455).

See the attached aerial images taken from the SE (001) and NW (014).

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 13th September, 2010.

References

Shanahan, B. 2006 Recent research in Roscommon by the Discovery Programme's Medieval Rural Settlement Project. Bullitin of the Group for the Study of Historic Irish Settlement, No. 11, 1-9.

Shanahan, B. 2009a Carns. Church site, deserted settlement and field system, possibly prehistoric. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2006: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 455-6, No. 1715. Dublin. Wordwell.