Barrow - ring-barrow

The National Monuments Service's description

Surveyed in 2013 and described by McGuinness (2014, 46) as following: 'Monument is shaped from the top of a glacial knoll (see below), and comprises a circular mound (Diam. 12.7m N-S x 12m E-W) surrounded by a ditch and outer bank, giving an overall diameter of 28.2m N-S x 30.3m E-W. Mound is domed in appearance with flattish apex (Diam. 3.6m N-S x 3m E-W), in which is a slight but clear depression indicating either a collapsed central chamber or ransacking by treasure-hunters. Mound rises above the surrounding bank and well above external ground. On SW side, mound rises up to 1.5m above the ditch, which is flat-bottomed and up to 2.8m in width where best defined. Where best preserved on N and NW sides, outer bank ranges in width from 3.10 to 3.60m and rises up to 0.64m above the ditch; bank rises up to 0.54m above external ground level on W side. Numerous small stones lie in the ditch in SE quadrant and others protrude or can be felt by probing on upper surface of mound, but where the outer bank has been poached (see below) it appears to be composed primarily of earth with relatively few stones. Monument is prominently sited on and shaped from a low, flat-topped glacial ridge running WNW-ESE, probably a kame, in pasture; a marshy area to NW may be the remains of a kettle-hole lake. Thorn trees, found around parts of edge of monument and on central mound, were probably planted to create shelter for animals: certainly much of the bank on the S side has been poached by cattle, although the roots of the trees that draw the animals here are extensive, and to an extent hold the bank and mound together'.

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 Unpublished survey funded by Westmeath County Council in association with Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society.