Burial in Raheennamadra

In pasture in an area known locally as Óenach Clochar, 115m E of townland boundary with Mitchelstowndown North. Westropp (1917-19, 67) described the Óenach Clochar as an ancient Celtic landscape and likened it to Tara, Telltown and Brugh na Bóinne in Co. Meath, and nearby Knockainey Hill, Co. Limerick. Ringfort (LI041-013011-) excavated by Marten Stenberger in 1966 and the remains of a hut site (LI041-013019-), Man-made underground passage (LI041-013020-) and burials (LI041-013021-) were uncovered. Excavations by Stenberger (1966, 38) were undertaken in about four-fifths of the enclosure (LI041-013011-), and in addition, three sections were cut through the bank and the fosse to the west, east and south. Excavations in the centre of the interior revealed a possible round hut (LI041-013019-) with entrance at NW and a hearth (II) with a date of 1430±130 = A.D. 520. A Man-made underground passage (LI041-013020-) was revealed in the S abutting the inside of the bank, orientated NNW-SSE. A hearth (III) was revealed during excavation in the S of the Man-made underground passage contained finds of a iron leather-scorer, animal bones and bone combs. Radiocarbon dates from postholes at the entrance of the Man-made underground passage dated to 1430±130 = AD 520 and 1260±120 = AD 690. Two skeletons were revealed to the NE of the Man-made underground passage, orientated NNE-SSW, both had an iron knife blade to the right of the skulls'. Ringfort clearly visible on Digital Globe orthoimage taken between 2011-13 and on Google Earth orthoimages. See attached plan of ringfort and photograph of Man-made underground passage and burial taken from Stenberger (1966), and Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 4 August 2021

A Neolithic passage tomb; significance lies in its association with the Óenach Clochar, an ancient Celtic landscape compared to Tara by early archaeologists.