Barrow - bowl-barrow

The National Monuments Service's description

Monument surveyed in 2015 and described by McGuinness (2015, 36-7) as following: ‘Approximately circular, dome-shaped mound (Diam. 20.4m N-S x 19.4m E-W) with flattened top (Diam. 4.7m N-S x 6m E-W) sloping down gently from SE-NW; given that the land on which it is sited slopes down from NW-SE,barrow is lower on NW side (H. 1.63m) than on SE side (H. 2.23m). Running around edge of mound partway up its slope, though not sticking to the same contour, is what appears to be a step or ledge, but it is unclear to what extent this is artificial or due to slippage, animal traffic or natural erosion; on SE side, upper surface of mound rises 1.65m over this step, which in turn rises 0.50m over ground level. Just 0.7m below top of mound, but only on SE side, is a step or ledge 2.60m in width which appears striking in profile; this appears more likely to be original than the lower, circumferential step. Poaching and other erosion has damaged the mound at various parts of its circumference, especially SE-S-W; and SE edge of mound appears to have been shorn off by passing farm vehicles. Although one ASI account, that of 29/5/78, does note that ‘there is no clear indication of a fosse though there is a slight depression on the NNE side,’ in its current state no perimeter ditch is visible around this tumulus, and its identification as a bowl-barrow by ASI should be rejected in favour of the mound-barrow category. Monument is situated in good pastureland, which has been under the plough in the recent past, perhaps removing evidence for peripheral features. It is prominently positioned on a glacial ridge sloping down from NW-SE, its highest point being 250m to NW of barrow. There are excellent views from E-S-W, and Frewin Hill (WM011-132----/133----/160----) and Knockdrin (WM012-183----), both very prominent hills with barrows, are visible to E. Traces of an old field system have been noted by ASI fieldworkers to NE, N and W of barrow [SMR file]. A small natural lake lying downhill c. 200m to N, which has been recently dredged, appears to be a kettle-hole. Only 750m to NE is an old burial ground (WM005-008001-) containing site of medieval parish church (WM005-008----) of Rathaspic (‘Rath of the Bishops’), which Leo Swan (1988, 14) identified as an early medieval ecclesiastical site on the grounds that the curving road pattern indicated the line of a diagnostic curvilinear rampart or vallum (WM005-008002-) surrounding the site; a short distance E of the burial ground is St Dermot’s Well (WM005-007----), still visited by pilgrims. There is a very large ringfort (WM005-014----), some 500m to SE’.

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

Date of upload: 5 February 2016

References

Swan, D.L. 1988 The Early Christian ecclesiastical sites of County Westmeath. In J. Bradley (ed.), Settlement and society in Medieval Ireland: studies presented to F.X. Martin O.S.A., 1-31. Kilkenny. Boethius Press.

McGuinness, D. 2015 The prehistoric burial mounds and related monument of County Westmeath. Part III - Monuments in Northern and Eastern Westmeath (Baronies of Delvin and Fore, and Parts of Baronies of Farbill, Fartullagh, Moygoish, and Moyashel & Magheradernon). Unpublished survey funded by Westmeath County Council in association with Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society.