Barrow - bowl-barrow

The National Monuments Service's description

Called a castle and the chapel of Mullaghnashee by O'Donovan in 1837 (O'Flanagan 1931, vol. 1, 50), the name has become attached and it is known locally as 'the Steeple', although there is no evidence of either structure. Known as Sídh Neannta it was one of the landmarks on the bounds of Uí Maine (O'Donovan 1843, 5). It is associated with the O'Hanley family, and it may have been an inauguration site for them.
Situated at the summit of Fairymount Hill. D-shaped, grass-covered earthen mound with a gently domed summit (dims of top 13m E-W; 9m N-S; dims of base 28.2m E-W; 21.6m N-S; H 2.6-3m). A N-S field bank and drain clip the E edge of the mound and an E-W field bank with a drain on its N side truncates the mound towards the perimeter at S. Given its prominent location and its size, it might contain a passage tomb.
Some cut stone, including two fragments of an inscription (RO036-013003-), probably from a graveslab or a cross, mention Eilis and Peter Hanley. Barrow (RO036-014----) is c. 110m to the SE..

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 24 August 2010

References

O'Donovan, J. (ed. and trans.) 1843 The tribes and customs of Hy-Many, commonly called O'Kelly's country, now first published from the Book of Lecan, a manuscript in the library of the Royal Irish Academy. Dublin.

O'Flanagan, Rev. M. (Compiler) 1931 Letters containing information relative to the antiquities of the county of Roscommon collected during the progress of the
Ordnance Survey in 1837. Bray.