Mound

The National Monuments Service's description

Surveyed in 2013 and described by McGuinness (2014, 66) as following: 'Small, roughly circular, flattish-topped mound (Diam. 5.5m) up to 0.75m in height, stony in composition and revetted by a loose dry-built wall probably of recent origin; edge of mound is noticeably flattened on SE side. Surrounding the mound is a low earthen berm about 2m in width. Monument is located on a low rise in pastureland and has a lone thorn tree beside it. Although it is fairly prominently sited it is difficult to see how this could be classified as a prehistoric burial mound, even one that has been modified with drystone revetment added; it bears comparison with the revetted mound at Laragh (WM018-001----), even more prominently sited, and might like it represent a recent pilgrimage station. Although appearance and dimensions differ appreciably, this appears to be the monument described by the ASI in 1983 as ‘a small mound of earth with some stone incorporated into it. The mound is 1½m high and is c.3m diameter E-W. A bush is growing on the top of the mound on N side’ [SMR file]. Certainly no other mound is visible in this area and the landowner did not know of any. Of doubtful antiquity.

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 Unpublished survey funded by Westmeath County Council in association with Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society.