Barrow - mound barrow

The National Monuments Service's description

On the summit of Knockmonaster Hill overlooking Fore Benedictine Abbey (WM004-035010-). Described by McGuinness (2019, 50) as following; 'this monument comprises a low round mound (Diam. 7.8m N-S x 7.5m E-W) having a slightly domed profile but with flattish upper surface (4m N-S x 3.1m E-W), and is currently irregular in shape with its SW edge being almost straight, although this edge appears to follow the line of a track or linear hollow running up to the mound from WNW and is presumably the result of alteration. Situated on ground sloping down to NNW, height of mound at cardinal points varies from 0.33m (S) to 0.60m (E) to 1.15m (W) to 1.32m (N). At junction of upper surface and steep side of mound on S side there is an overgrown boulder embedded in the mound. Monument is located on sloping NNW side of Knocknamonaster Hill, which is enclosed by an imposing ditch and rampart at its base, and lies just N of the 12th-century Benedictine Priory and within the medieval walled town of Fore; a short distance S of priory are the varied remains of St. Feichin’s important early medieval monastery of Fore, and just outside the walls to NE is a motte and bailey (WM004-029---) which was formerly identified as a barrow by the ASI. A possible pond-barrow (WM004-035034-)lies on the summit of the hill 54m to SE and there is a dead-ice hollow some 34m to S, its lower rim opening to NW. Some 2.5m to E of mound is a broad low bank, apparently cut through by cultivation ridges, which is either a trackway or a flattened field fence running downhill past the barrow towards the motte to NE'.
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

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 Unpublished survey funded by Westmeath County Council in association with Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society.

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