Barrow - ring-barrow

The National Monuments Service's description

Surveyed in 2013 and described by McGuinness (2014, 53-4) as following: 'Fairly well preserved ring-barrow (Diam. 23.7m N-S x 24.4m E-W), comprising a domed mound (Diam. 11.5m N-S x 12.2m E-W) with flattish top surrounded by a ditch and outer bank. Mound is slightly higher than the bank in places, especially at its highest NE side, where it rises up to 1.10m above ditch. On SE side, mound appears to have been eroded as there is a step where its height is reduced but still rises above the ditch. Bank is up to 3.50m in width and rises up to 0.80m above ditch on NNE side and up to 0.46m above external ground level on N side, its lowest points being on NW and SSE sides; where well preserved around much of its circumference, it is flat-topped. At WSW a large flattish-topped block of limestone has been incorporated in the bank. On NNW side a stretch of bank about 9m in length has been removed. Ditch is 2.70m in greatest width. Just beyond bank on SE side of monument is a hollowed-out circular pit (7m x 6.5m) which opens out to ground level on E side; possibly this represents a limekiln. Monument lies in lush pastureland in the W corner of Mount Dalton demesne, about 400m to SW of a second possible barrow (WM017-082----); there is a small lake or fen 32m to SE'.

See attached plan of monument drawn and surveyed by the ASI.

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

Date of upload: 23 February 2015

References

McGuinness, D. 2014 The prehistoric burial mounds and related monuments of County Westmeath. Part II - Monuments in central Westmeath (Barony of Rathconrath and parts of baronies of Moygoish, Moycashel, and Moyashel & Magheradernon). Unpublished survey funded by Westmeath County Council in association with Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society.