Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

On a former island (c. 250m N–S; c. 60-70m E–W), named ‘Inishbeg’ on the 1837 OS 6-inch map and ‘Inishcullion’ on the 1913 edition, now connected to the mainland at N by an expanse of flat salt-marsh /grassland. Listed in the RMP as ‘enclosure’ based on a reference in Wood-Martin (1887-8, 255): 'a small circle composed of earth and stones was pointed out on the island of Inishhullion on the opposite, that is to say, the Cuil-irra side of Ballysadare bay…the monument in question is of mean workmanship, and small size, measuring only 21 feet [6.4m] in over-all diameter…’ Wood-martin recorded this in relation to a legend that a fallen warrior was buried in this area following the second Battle of Moytirra. An inspection in 2014 found a small circular feature on level ground, roughly centrally located in the S half of the island. It consist of a flat circular area (3m N–S; 2.8m E–W) enclosed by a narrow, shallow fosse (Wth 0.8m; D 0.1-0.15m). Several stones (max. dim. 0.4-0.8m) are set against the outer perimeter of the fosse. Outside the fosse there is a slight rise or cropmark of shorter grass (Wth 0.8m) which hints at a possible outer bank/wall. The function of this small enclosure is unclear and it is uncertain if it is the feature noted by Wood-Martin.

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 13 August 2014

References

Wood-Martin, W.G. 1887-8 The rude stone monuments of Ireland, parts III to VIII. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 18, 50-94, 118-59, 254-99, 367-81.