What is recorded here

Crannog in Gortacarnaun occupied the southerly of two islands in Lough Naneevin, County Galway, until reeds swallowed it whole. Kinahan found oval oak piles, a basket floor, a hearth and a kitchen midden in 1865, proving the water had once held a complete home rather than a bare rock. A narrow causeway still hinted at the path people walked to reach it, carrying food, fire and ordinary life across the lake before the marsh took back the shape of their weeks.

In the centre of Lough Naneevin. In 1865 Kinahan investigated a 'crannog' on the southerly of the two islands shown on 2nd ed. of OS 6-inch map; now totally overgrown and surrounded by a dense reed bed. This was 'of an oval shape' (45.7m by 22.9m) and evidently defined by a single 'row of round oak piles about four inches in diameter' at SW, and similar but double rows at NW and S. At E 'an irregular flooring of ash, sallow, and oak beams' was noted. Excavations made at six points revealed 'a basket flooring under nearly the whole of the Crannoge', as well as a hearth and a 'kitchen midden' from which a 'polishing stone', a 'dart-head' and animal bones were recovered. At S a narrow causeway, apparently artificial, joined it to the mainland. Inspected from lake shore only. (Kinahan 1866; Wood-Martin 1893, 244-5) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). Date of upload: 05 August 2010

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