Barrow - mound barrow

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on a rise of ground on the N side of a prominent hill with good views to N, E and W, restricted views to S. Small circular round-topped earthen mound (diam. 9m WNW-ESE; H 1.5-2m) of the base of which has been damaged by ploughing and digging (SMR File 15/06/1977). No trace of any fosse enclosing the base of the mound. No other features visible.

Surveyed in 2013 and described by McGuinness (2014, 55-6) as following: 'The survey-team was unable to gain access to this monument, which was described in 1971 and 1977 by ASI fieldworkers. The 1971 account is given here: A small earth and stone round-topped mound. Prob circular originally but the lower slopes are disturbed by digging and later plough? scarps. Red earth is visible in places where the mound is broken down. Not many stones are visible. There is a very slight earthen mound (modern looking) on the top of the barrow. No visible trace of a fosse. There is an old quarry-hole to the N of the mound. Situated on a high prominent hill. The ground rises gently from the site to the S. There are good views to the N. Overall diameters = 9.30m N-S and 9m E-W. Height = 1.50m [SMR file]. The 1977 account describes the mound as ‘very small’ and ‘gently rounded’, with no trace of a surrounding ditch. In view of both of these descriptions the ASI identification of the site as a bowl-barrow appears to be unjustified, and it is here taken to be a mound-barrow'.

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

Date of revised upload: 20 July 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 Unpublished survey funded by Westmeath County Council in association with Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society.