Cairn - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

On a S facing slope on the crest of a ridge in forestry, with good views to the S towards Ballinacor. A small drystone cairn (diam. 2.5m; H 0.4m) containing a large number of quartz stones with traces of a bank (Wth 1.8m; H 0.4m) forming an arc from NE to SSE (est. diam. 10m) with possible W half cut by forest track. A large stone has been set upright on top of the cairn in recent times.
In 1935 Charles MacNeill recorded that the site was known as Art O’Neill’s Cairn (Corlett and Weaver 2002, vol 1, 271-2), from the tradition that it marked the grave of Art O’Neill, who died on his way to Glenmalure in January 1592 having escaped from Dublin Castle, in the company of Red Hugh O’Donnell. It is generally believed however that the place known as Art’s Cross in Oakwood in west Wicklow is the true location of Art O’Neil’s grave. MacNeill also noted in 1935 that this site was known locally as ‘the Cloran' (ibid), and it is possible that the name derives from ceallúrnán, meaning small burial ground.

Compiled by: Claire Breen and Chris Corlett

Date of upload: 24 April 2013

References

Corlett, C. and Weaver, M. (eds) 2002 The Price Notebooks. 2 vols. Dúchas the Heritage Service. Dublin.