What is recorded here

Rabbit burrowing exposed fire-cracked sandstone and burnt clay within a low mound beside St Senan's well, revealing an ancient heating site hidden beneath ordinary island soil. The sharp smell of hot stone and damp clay may have filled the air when people lived there, marking a small domestic ritual rather than a grand public monument.

Situated between the round tower (CL067-024005-) and St Senan's well (CL067-024007-). Discovered during an assessment in 2001 in advance of conservation works to facilitate visitors to the island. A low mound is evident (3.1m N-S; 2.9m E-W; max. H 0.2-0.3m). Rabbit burrowing revealed burnt and fire-cracked fragments of shattered sandstone in a rich organic silty clay. A couple of pieces of burnt clay and a piece of iron slag were also recovered. (Halpin 2002, 10; Dunne 2003, 23-4) This is a national monument in state care, no. 10. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 19 September 2016 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 1/1971).

Burnt mound in Scattery Island is a prehistoric ritual or industrial site, likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age. Its location near early Christian monuments suggests possible later reuse or symbolic significance in the landscape.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.