Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

In parkland on the SE side of Sligo Town, ground falls away steeply to S.
This circular enclosure (int. diam. c. 20m; ext. diam. c. 34m N–S) is not shown on the 1838 and 1940 OS 6-inch maps, but a roughly circular cluster of trees is shown on both map editions. The enclosure was archaeologically tested in 2008 in advance of proposed development works (Hackett 2008). It is defined by low remnants of a partly levelled earthen bank (Wth c. 4m). Three test trenches (Wth 1.9m), opened across the E half of the enclosure, revealed that the bank has both an internal and an external enclosing fosse. The excavated profile of the external fosse (Wth 1.8m; D below topsoil 1.1m) showed it to have a steeply sloping outer side, a U-shaped base and a gradually sloping inner S side. Its basal fill incorporated frequent stones, charcoal inclusions and substantial amounts of iron smelting slag (59.6 grams recovered). The fosse (Wth 1m; D below topsoil 0.3m) on the inner edge of the bank is less substantial; its profile has a gradually sloping sides and a rounded base. A terminus for this fosse was found towards its E end, suggesting a NE entrance to the enclosure. (Hackett 2008). There is a rath (SL014-134----) 230m to NE.

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 9 July 2019

References

Hackett, L. 2008 Archaeological testing of a proposed development at Cleaveragh Demesne, Co. Sligo. Headland Archaeology Ltd. Project code: SMLW08. For Sligo Borough Council, July 2008. Excavation Licence no. 08E393. Unpublished report submitted to NMS.