Barrow - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

Classified as a ringfort in the RMP for Co. Westmeath but re-classified by McGuinness following field survey of barrows in Co. Westmeath. Surveyed in 2012 and described by McGuinness (2012, 37-8) as following: ‘Large sub-circular earthwork, comprising a slightly dished platform (Diam. 39.5m NNE-SSW x 43m ESE-WNW) surrounded by a ditch (Diam. 49m NNE-SSW x 50m ESE-WNW), with traces of an external bank. Despite dished appearance of platform, there is no clear trace of a bank around its edge that might justify its classification as a ringfort in the RMP. A field fence marked by mature deciduous trees crosses ESE end of site from NE to SW, so that the monument extends over two fields, with only the smaller segment on ESE side showing traces of a low, external bank, 4m in width, below level of central platform. If bank originally extended into adjacent field, around the entire monument—and there is no reason to doubt that this was the case—overall diameter would be c. 58m. Where best preserved on SW side, ditch is approximately flat-based, 2-2.5m in width at base, and up to 0.44m in maximum depth below and perpendicular to a line joining upper edge of platform to external ground level, although this measurement must be regarded as minimal given that outer bank is no longer visible in this area. Central mound rises up to 0.64m above base of ditch and appears to be raised above surrounding ground.
Monument lies in broadly SW-sloping pastureland, 8m to NE of a bowl-barrow (WM018-080----) and c. 100m to NE of another, possible prehistoric burial mound (WM018-081----). Further upslope, on hilltop c. 150m to NE, are three further barrows (WM018-078----). All six sites form an approximately linear arrangement from NE to SW'.

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

Date of upload: 25 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 Unpublished survey funded by Westmeath County Council in association with Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society.