Barrow - ring-barrow

The National Monuments Service's description

Surveyed in 2013 and described by McGuinness (2014, 48) as following: 'Well-preserved ring-barrow with central subcircular mound (Diam. 7.5m N-S x 8.8m E-W) surrounded by a ditch and external bank, giving an overall diameter of 24.7m N-S x 23.2m E-W. Monument slopes down gently from NW to SE, apparently the topography of the kame on which it has been sited (see below). On S side flattish, dome-shaped central mound rises up to 0.6m above broad ditch, which is flat-bottomed and ranges in width from 2.1m at NW to 3.9m at NE. Broad bank reaches up to 4.7m in width at S and E, and up to 6.7m at NW, and its massive NW stretch rises up to 0.67m above ditch and up to 0.60m above external ground level; central mound and surrounding bank are of a similar height. Projecting 4m from the outer bank on SE side is a cairn of stones up to 5m in width, with larger boulders at its base and smaller stones on top; this has the appearance of a field-clearance cairn, and numerous stones in E half of ditch may relate to similar clearance. Thorn trees growing around E half of outer bank and on parts of central mound provide shelter for animals and there has been some slight poaching of central mound on E side but, given that sheep are pastured here, the damage is far less than is evident on sites where cattle roam free. Monument lies in undulating pasture at NE end of a low kame ridge running NE-SW; a tiny kettle-hole lies close by in adjacent field to W of barrow. Although on a local eminence, higher ground rises to NE. Croghan Hill in Offaly with its burial mound (OF010-004001-) on the summit is prominent on horizon to E; also visible is the second ring-barrow in this townland (WM038-034----) c. 400m to W'.

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

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 Unpublished survey funded by Westmeath County Council in association with Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society.