Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Enclosure
Ushnagh Hill, County Westmeath, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Ushnagh Hill
- County
- Westmeath
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 53.49020, -7.56267
- SMR number
- WM024-059002-
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1790 "Composite: Ireland." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
The second enclosure discovered by geophysical survey on the W summit of Uisneach measures 23m in diameter and appears as a narrow, discontinuous band of enhanced magnetic values, 0.5-1m in width. It is likewise interpreted as the slot-trench of a palisaded enclosure, although the possibility that it represents the remains of a roofed timber building – while less likely – cannot be ruled out. The geophysical evidence suggests that it underlies, and therefore predates, the 35m enclosure (WM024-059001-), and also St Patrick’s Bed (WM024-059----), to the E. As such, it may be the earliest archaeological feature yet discovered at Uisneach. A significant number of pit-type features were recorded inside and around the enclosure. One of the largest lies at the approximate centre of the enclosure and is surrounded by an arc of possible post-pits on the N (Schot 2016).
Compiled by: Dr. Roseanne Schot
Date of upload: 08 May 2019
References
Schot, R. et. al. 2016 Conservation Plan for the Hill of Uisneach, Co. Westmeath – Part 1: Assessment of Cultural Significance, with contributions by D. Drew and R. Sherlock.
Schot, R. 2011 From cult centre to royal centre: monuments, myths and other revelations at Uisneach. In R. Schot, C. Newman and E. Bhreathnach (eds), Landscapes of cult and kingship, 87–113. Dublin.
Schot, R. 2005 Geophysical survey report: The Hill of Uisneach. Co. Westmeath. License No. 03R090. Unpublished Report. National Monuments Service. Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
Nearby in the register
- Megalithic tomb - unclassifiedunder 1 mi
- Enclosureunder 1 mi
- Ring-ditchunder 1 mi
- Buildingunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.