Barrow - mound barrow

The National Monuments Service's description

Barrow annotated 'Nicholastown Moat' on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map where OS Trig. station marks spot height of 464 ft. OD. Surveyed in 2013 and described by McGuinness (2014, 57) as following: 'Tall, roughly conical tumulus (Diam. 12.4m N-S x 13.5m E-W) with flattened apex, up to 2m high on S side and striking in appearance. Monument is well preserved overall but some parts have eroded away, especially half-way up the E side where exposed soil indicates that mound is predominantly earthen in composition. Various boulders visible around edge of mound on W half, where it begins to rise steeply, seem to represent a kerb, although beyond base of mound (and not included in diameter measurements given above) there is a low, irregular berm of varying width (N: 2m; E: 1.7m; S: 1.2m: W 3.7m), perhaps due to slippage from mound—the disproportionately broad berm on W side is almost certainly due to later disturbance. There also appears to be a ledge up to 1.20m in maximum width running around circumference of mound, up to 0.95m above its base: this appears to be original. Flattish circular summit of mound (Diam. 3m N-S x 3m E-W), clear on all sides but N, slopes down very gently from S to N. Monument is located at edge of farmyard on fairly level pasture, but, given its altitude, with spectacular views to the E. According to landowner, monument is known locally as the ‘Moat of Nicholastown’.

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 Unpublished survey funded by Westmeath County Council in association with Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society.