Cave or The Relics

A D-shaped area (dims. 52m N-S) enclosed W-E by a dilapidated sod-covered stone bank, with the straight side (L c. 58m E-W) to the S bordered by a field boundary wall topped with a post and wire fence. The sod-covered stone bank has traces of an internal and external facing of large stones, best seen N-NE. It is engulfed by blackthorn bushes NE-E. The wall is poorly preserved (Wth 1.8m; H 0.35m) W-NW where it kinks to incorporate a natural undulation but is more substantial (Wth 3m; int. H 0.65m; ext. H 0.65m) NW-E where it curves to form a regular arc. The wall (Wth 0.6m; H 0.6m) defining the S side surmounts a low N-facing rocky scarp (H c. 0.6m). The interior is predominantly level but to the N of the centre a N-facing slope crosses the width of the graveyard and marks a drop (H c. 1.5m) in ground level to a flat wet area. According to local information, this area was used as a burial ground and is locally called 'the roilig' (Faughnan 1943). No graves or grave-markers are visible anywhere within the interior. A 'straining stone' (SL021-025004-) is located to the NE of the centre. A possible church (SL021-025001-) lies immediately outside the graveyard to the SE. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005). Date of upload: 18 January 2008