Barrow - ring-barrow

The National Monuments Service's description

Surveyed in 2012 and described by McGuinness (2012, 29-30) as following: ‘Very large, low-relief ring-barrow (Diam. 42m NW-SE) on ground sloping down gently to E, at ESE end of flattish, plateau-like hilltop. Monument comprises a low central platform (Basal Diam. 26m) surrounded by a flat-bottomed ditch, 3m in width at well-preserved NE side, and a low, denuded outer bank, 4.5-6m in width. Central platform rises 0.35m above ditch. Where bank is best preserved, on NE side, it is 0.5m above ditch. At this same point, perpendicular depth of ditch below a line joining top of bank to upper surface of platform is 0.34m. SW side of site has been greatly disturbed and is difficult to make out: what appears to be a disused, grassed-over, slightly raised trackway, 4m in width, runs across the barrow from NW to SE, continuing to SE roughly in direction of Leny church (WM011-028----) which lies downhill to SSE; and immediately beyond this 'trackway' to SW is an old field boundary. Just NE of the barrow but not touching it is another slightly raised linear feature, also with the appearance of a disused trackway 4m in width, running for 92m in a SW-NE direction to edge of field, but not clearly visible in adjacent field. An inspection of the vertical aerial photograph on the National Monuments website strongly suggest that these features are old field fences predating the 1st edition OS 6" map. In adjacent field 16m to NW is a low, oval-shaped eminence clipped by an old quarry at its N end and currently measuring 12.Sm NW-SE x 10m NE-SW. There are what may be traces of a ditch on NW side, suggesting the possibility that this is an artificial mound. Close by in adjacent field to SW, the RMP documents a standing stone (WM011-027----). This sharp-angled rectilinear piece of slate or shale is deeply embedded in the ground, recumbent and barely visible; its maximum visible length and width are 1.06m and 0.30m respectively and its thickness is 0.11m. It is unclear whether it was ever standing upright. A second 'standing stone' (WM011-025----), a sharp-angled rectilinear piece of slate or shale 2.7m long, 0.25¬0.36m wide and 0.17m thick, lies recumbent in a field c. 130m to NW. If it was ever standing it must have fallen down some time ago, as the sod has encroached over its S end.
At opposite end of hilltop c. 250m to N are two closely positioned monuments, a flat-topped mound surrounded by a broad ditch (WM011-021----) and what appears to be a platform-barrow (WM011-022----). Leny church (WM011-028----) and burial ground (WM011-028001-), with evidence of a large, curvilinear Early Christian monastic vallum (WM011-028002-) on SW side (Swan 1988, 9), lie at foot of hill c. 250m to SSE. Frewin Hill (WM011-133----) is prominent to S, the barrow at Fulmort (WM011-160----) is prominent on hilltop to N, and Knockdrin (WM012-183----) appears to be visible to SE’.
In 1981 the ASI recorded the presence of a possible standing stone (WM011-026001-) situated on the NE bank of the barrow which the fieldworker suggested may have 'been erected in this spot as a scratching post for cattle. The standing stone is a limestone slab, 2m high, uniformly 10-15cm thick, and lying or leaning at an angle of 25 degrees to the SW' (SMR File 15/06/1981)

See attached sketch plan of monument drawn by ASI showing location of standing stone.

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

Date of upload: 15 April 2016

References

McGuinness, D. 2012 The prehistoric burial mounds and related monument of County Westmeath. Part I - Preliminary account of the monuments in the Lough Owel Area (Barony of Corkaree and part of Barony of Moyashel & Magheradernon). Unpublished survey funded by Westmeath County Council in association with Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society.

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.