Crannog

The National Monuments Service's description

In a water-meadow, below the earlier shoreline of Lough Gara, on the S side of the Ross peninsula. Views to the N, E and S are blocked by drumlins; Mullaghtee and Monasteraden are visible across the lake to the W. A drain to the SW shows the surrounding meadow to consist of peat on sand and marl. A low-cairn crannog (14.8m N-S; 14.8m E-W; H 1m above water meadow) sparsely covered with low grass and nettles and with two hawthorn trees on its N side. It consists mainly of firmly set stones. In the NE quadrant is an area (4m x 4m) containing a dense concentration of stones. The W side of this concentration contains somewhat larger limestone and sandstone stones (diam. c. 0.3m) while the E side contains a slightly higher concentration of shattered sandstone (diam. 0.05-0.1m). The crannog slopes down towards the lake. In the NW quadrant is a loosely packed dense concentration (2m x 3m) of moss-covered sandstone stones (diam. 0.3-0.4m). The edge is distinct in material and has a sharp angle down to the meadow. There is very limited overspill of stones from the cairn. The even surface slopes gently down towards the lake and consists of well sorted, firmly set small stones (diam. c. 0.2m). The crannog is surrounded by water in winter. One of a group of four crannogs (SL047-055----; SL047-056001-; SL047-057----) in the same bay. (Cross 1953, fig. 1; Fredengren 2002, KILA 048)

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

This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 215/1955).