Ringfort - cashel

The National Monuments Service's description

In rocky pasture, on a slight rise on the S slopes of the Ox Mountains. The southernmost of a pair of conjoined cashels (see SL025-015001-). An oval area (32m N-S; 36m E-W) defined by a drystone wall (Wth 2m; int. H 1.8m; ext. H 2m) SW-NE, along the S arc by a narrower wall (Wth 1.2m; int. H 0.8m; ext. H 1.65m) built on top of a broad partially sod-covered stony plinth (H 0.45m), which projects 1.2m from the external side of the wall. Along the E arc, the wall is also low and narrow (Wth 1m; H 0.5m) and c. 1m outside it is a curving field boundary. There are narrow gaps (Wth c. 0.5m) through the wall at NW and WSW. Slightly higher ground in the NE quadrant of the interior is defined by a low E-W scarp. Several field-clearance cairns were noted in the interior and in the S half there are two linear parallel heaps of stone (E heap: 3m N-S; 2m E-W; H 1m; W heap: 3.6m N-S; 1.1m E-W; H 0.9m). Field boundaries radiate out from the cashel to S and W. A field boundary curves SSW-NW c. 5m outside the enclosing wall. Part of a complex of cashels (SL025-015001-; SL025-015004-; SL025-015007-; SL025-015008-; SL025-015012-), enclosures (SL025-015003-; SL025-015011-), a possible enclosure (SL025-015005-), a rath (SL025-015006-) and a hut site (SL025-015010-).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005).

Date of upload: 18 January 2008