Barrow - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

Monument surveyed in 2015 and described by McGuinness (2015, 67) as following: ‘Markedly tear-drop-shaped or eye-shaped earthwork (Diam. (overall) 24.6m N-S x 31.7m E-W), broader at W end than E, comprising a large basal mound with gently domed upper surface (Diam. 18.4m N-S x 26m E-W) and delimited by a steep scarp on all sides; on top of this is a low mound, eccentrically positioned 15.2m from broad W end of basal mound but only 6.5m from narrow E end. This upper mound is irregular shaped but roughly circular (Diam. 3.9m N-S x 3.8m E-W), and rises only 0.5m above basal mound where highest on S side. Height of scarp defining basal mound is up to 1.2m on N and S sides; and absolute height of monument, from upper surface of upper mound to ground level, is 2m at SE. Various kerb-like boulders protrude from edges of scarp, with several visible on N and S sides; but these are found at differing heights, and, as one ASI fieldworker observed on 27/7/72, ‘there is no clearly visible indications that they are formally set’ [SMR file]. Chunks have been removed from edge of mound in various places, especially at NNE but also at SE, the result of cattle erosion or small-scale quarrying; but overall the monument is well preserved. Faint traces of a bank observed by an ASI fieldworker on 10/4/70 were in the disturbed NNE area and, as such, were ‘probably not original’ [SMR file]. Barrow is sited on a local eminence from which it has at least in part been shaped, given that there is no ditch to account for the massive basal mound. The complex, prominently positioned barrow at Rathwire Upper (WM020-123----) is visible uphill to N, on S slope of hill that is capped by a ring-barrow in an unusual rectilinear enclosure (WM020-087----). Lower down again, a couple of hundred metres to S of present barrow, are two branches of the E-W flowing Riverstown River, a tributary of the Deel’.

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

Date of upload: 10 February 2016

References

McGuinness, D. 2015 The prehistoric burial mounds and related monument of County Westmeath. Part III - Monuments in Northern and Eastern Westmeath (Baronies of Delvin and Fore, and Parts of Baronies of Farbill, Fartullagh, Moygoish, and Moyashel & Magheradernon). Unpublished survey funded by Westmeath County Council in association with Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society.