Crannog in Lough Gara

In a meadow in the W side of Lough Gara between the former shoreline and the present summer waterline. This crannog was excavated in 1997-2000 by the Crannog Research Programme and is now reconstructed (Fredengren 1998b, 156; 2000a, 185; 2000b, 282-3). Prior to excavation the crannog was very overgrown and consisted of a low cairn (17m N-S; 14m E-W; H 1.05m above the meadow). The top layer consisted of poorly sorted angular boulders and flagstones forming an unstable surface. A causeway (L 16m; Wth 1m) of boulders stretches W from the crannog to the former shoreline and from the E edge out into the water for 68m. This part of the causeway consists mainly of small shattered stones (diam. c. 0.05-0.1m). Excavation revealed an early medieval multiphase construction which showed evidence for house structures, a lower-status artefact assemblage and some evidence for metal production (Fredengren 1998a, 31-3; 2002, 220-46). It has been radiocarbon-dated to the early medieval period (Fredengren 2002, KILC 022). It is one of a group of three crannogs (SL046-027----; SL046-028----). (Cross 1953, fig. 1). 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