Barrow - pond barrow

The National Monuments Service's description

On the summit of Knockmonaster Hill overlooking Fore Benedictine Abbey (WM004-035010-). Described by McGuinness (2019, 51) as following; 'It comprises an annular bank, very slightly subcircular, which surrounds a sunken, dished interior (Diam. (overall) c. 11.5m N- x c. 11.10m E-; Diam. (interior) 6.5m N- x 5.6m E-). Height of bank over interior at cardinal points varies from 0.12m (E) to 0.21m (N) to 0.34m (S) to 0.41m (W). Although, as with the closely similar monument at Clonydonnin (No. 6), outer edge of bank blends almost seamlessly with external ground level, it is clearest and best preserved at SSE where its width and height over external ground level can be estimated as 2.5m and 0.37m respectively; and while the same
ambiguity prevents an accurate depth measurement of the interior with reference to external ground level, it certainly has the appearance of falling below ground level. Near the centre of the monument is a large, overgrown and apparently earthfast boulder (L. 1.05m; W. 0.70m; H. 0.35m). Monument is prominently positioned on summit of the low but striking Knocknamonaster Hill, some 54m to SE of a possible mound-barrow (No. 12) and some 12.5m to ESE of a dead-ice hollow, the low rim of which faces NW. The earthwork is clearly visible on Google Earth aerial photographs taken 05/10/2009 and the two earthworks identified by McGuinness as possible barrows was surveyed and drawn by the ASI in the 1970s.

See attached Google earth aerial photograph showing possible site and earthwork plan surveyed and drawn by the ASI which shows the hollow feature.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by David McGuinness.

Date of upload: 21 February 2020

References

ASIAP - Archaeological Survey of Ireland Aerial Photographs (c. 1996 - c. 2010).

McGuinness, D. 2019 The prehistoric burial mounds and related monument of County Westmeath. Part IV - Monuments in the Baronies of Brawny, Clonlonan and Kilkenny West, and parts of Baronies of Corkaree, Delvin, Farbill, Fartullagh, Fore, Moyashel & Magheradernon, Moycashel, Moygoish and Rathconrath. Unpublished survey funded by Westmeath County Council in association with Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society.