Cursus

The National Monuments Service's description

On the steep westernmost slope of Lugnagun ridge. A cairn (WI005-058---) is located on the summit of the ridge, at the eastern end of the monument. Monument identified in 2013 on Lidar imaging (Steve Davis, UCD School of Archaeology). This possible cursus consists of two parallel earthen banks (Wth c. 4.5m; H c. 0.5m) which are 36-39m apart, aligned roughly E-W, and visible over a distance of over 600m (Corlett 2014, 23). At the upper, eastern end the cursus has an open terminal, with the southern bank stopping some distance short of the cairn, though this bank appears to have been robbed out (ibid.). The downslope portion of both banks has been largely levelled but is visible on aerial photographs and Lidar imaging (ibid.). A similar possible cursus monument has been identified on Keadeen Mountain, Co. Wicklow (WI027-089----), with examples in other counties including one on Brewel Hill (KD032-058----) in Co. Kildare and two in Co. Carlow, at Knockendrane (CW020-026----) and Coolasnaghta (CW020-027----).

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 28 July 2014

References

Corlett, C. 2014 Some cursus monuments in South Leinster. Archaeology Ireland 28, (2), 20-25.