Barrow - stepped barrow

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on top of a hill with commanding views of the surrounding countryside. According to local tradition this hilltop enclosure was the inauguration place of the Mac Amhalghaidh / Magawley clan (Cox 1972, 155). Fitzpatrick (2004, 171) however suggests that the bowl-barrow (WM030-104----) on Knockdomny Hill is the more likely location for the inauguration place of the Mac Amhalghaidh clan. Monument consists of a circular raised area or platform (diam. c. 29m) enclosed by an earth and stone bank, berm and outer bank. Gap in bank at W appears to be of recent origin, second gap in bank at NNE may be remains of original entrance feature. A trackway leading up to this possible entrance gap may be remains of an ancient pathway. The interior of the monument is divided by a field boundary consisting of a low bank and fosse running N-S. This field boundary is a later feature as it runs across and cuts into the enclosing bank and scarp of the monument at NNW. At the S end of this bank there are two stones set in line with the bank which suggests contemporaneity with this feature. The N stone (H 1.25m x 1.25m x 1m) is higher than the S stone which is more stump like in its appearance. Large boulders and rock outcrop can be seen protruding from the surface of the interior and from the top of the enclosing bank. A small depression in the N quadrant of the interior facing onto the inner face of the enclosing bank may be the remains of a possible hut site or could be the remains of a small post medieval quarry hole. Ordnance Survey trig. station marking 387 ft OD located in centre of monument as depicted on 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map.

Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien

Date of upload: 21 July 2015

This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 1/1980).

References

Cox, L. 1972 The Magawlys of Calry (concluded). Journal of the Old Athlone Society 3, 147-60.

FitzPatrick, E. 2004 Royal inauguration in Gaelic Ireland c.1100-1600: a cultural landscape study. Studies in Celtic History 22. Woodbridge. The Boydell Press.