Earthwork in Ballyvarra

On poorly drained grassland on the N bank of the Mulkear River, which marks the townland boundary with Scart, and 50m E of the townland boundary with Foyle. The monument is depicted as a small circular shaped area defined by a bank or possibly a small mound on the 1840 OS 6-inch map. On this map a Mill Dam is shown crossing the river approx. 45m to W which feeds a the mill race of Scart Mill standing 280m to W. On the 1897 OS 25-inch map the earthwork is shown as a raised circular area or platform (approx. int. diam. 24m) defined by a scarp. Monument visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 19/11/2019 as tree-covered earthwork standing immediately N of the river with mature trees to the W. A drainage channel or watercourse running roughly E-W is visible 20m to the N. This earthwork standing on poorly drained land immediately adjacent to the Mulkear River and to the nearby mill and mill-race may be related to a medieval mill site at this location. The medieval mill (LI006-070----) of Ballyvarra depicted on the Down Survey map was located further upstream closer to the E boundary of the townland. This earthwork may have been some form of medieval fortification due to its riverside location and waterlogged surroundings. See attached Google Earth orthoimage taken 19/11/2019 Compiled by: Fiona Rooney and Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 9 June 2020