Barrow - ring-barrow

The National Monuments Service's description

Monument surveyed in 2015 and described by McGuinness (2015, 36) as following: ‘Fairly well preserved but densely overgrown ring-barrow, comprising a sub-circular central mound or flat-topped platform (Diam. 20.4m N-S x 17.9m E-W), surrounded by a circular ditch and outer bank (Overall diam. c. 30m N-S x 29.6m E-W). Running across middle of site from E to W, and cutting through the bank at both ends, and through the platform, is an earthen bank (W. 2.1m) with accompanying shallow ditch (W. 2.8m) immediately to S, the two features appearing in places more as a scarp dropping from N to S than a discrete bank and ditch; the ditch continues to E and W of the barrow and is clearly visible as a thick hedgerow on aerial views; where partly exposed just W of barrow, this feature appears more like a sunken trackway than a ditch. Central mound or platform is raised significantly higher (0.52m) to N of bank and ditch than to S, but there is no clear evidence of rebuilding or disturbance aside from the bank and ditch. There is a plan and profile of monument by ASI fieldworkers in SMR file, clearly showing the split-level platform. Flat upper surface of platform slopes down gently from S to N. Bank reaches 3.9m in width at NW, and rises 0.90m above the ditch and 0.62m above external ground level; at the same point the ditch is 2.5m wide and 0.56m below the central platform. Monument is sited on a broad, low N-S ridge, which drops down far more steeply to E than W, in a golf course laid out on former demesne land of the Nugent’s of Ballinlough Castle.

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

Date of upload: 5 February 2016

References

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 Unpublished survey funded by Westmeath County Council in association with Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society.