Enclosure in Athdown

Situated on a SE-facing slope of Kippure Mountain, in recently planted forestry. Circular enclosure (diam. 13m) defined by a poorly preserved earthen bank. No indication of an entrance, external fosse or internal features. (Information P. Healy) Monument inspected 05/03/20201 by Séamus Ó Murchú, archaeologist, Forest Service, DAFM and described as follows; 'Situated c. 10m to the south-west of the forest boundary and c. 16m to the south-west of the public road contiguous to the northern boundary of the forest plantation. Here, the public road is separated from the forest plantation by a fosse, an outer bank and an external fosse. The topography slopes gently to the south-west. At the south-eastern side of the Enclosure is a granite outcrop from which the slope falls away sharply to the southeast before levelling off with the surrounding slope. As a result, when approached from the southeast, the monument appears to be sited on a plateau or shallow ridge on the slope. The upstanding remains of the Enclosure are in a poor state of preservation however, it is still evident within the forest plantation. The monument measures c. 13m in diameter overall defined by a subtle earth and stone bank. The enclosing element is best preserved on the northern and western sides of the monument. Here, an 8m long earth and stone bank arc from NE—N—W—SW. It has a maximum internal height of 0.3m and maximum external height of 0.1m and measures approximately 3m wide throughout. The western—south-western side of the monument is almost indiscernible. A 6m long earthen bank is evident on the southwestern and southern side of the monument which measures c. 2.1m wide and between 0.05—0. 1m high. The southernmost side of the enclosure is indiscernible before a short, 2m long and 1m wide section of bank material reappears on the south-eastern side. The enclosing element is indiscernible on its eastern side. The interior of the monument has an almost imperceptible slope towards the centre and measures 8—9m in diameter. Trees are growing within the enclosure and either on the surviving portions of the bank or the projected line of the enclosing element. There was no evidence for an internal or external fosse however, the extremely denuded nature of the monument and the trees growing within and on top of the enclosing element suggests that it may have been levelled between the time of Patrick Healy's inspection in the late 20th century and the present inspection and most likely at the time of afforestation. A possible entrance feature was evident in the north-western side of the enclosing element defined by a 0.4m high upright stone on the western side and a cluster of granite cobbles on the eastern side. A possible 1.5m long arc of stone also extended into the monument from the northern bank although this may be a product of the levelling works rather than an internal feature'. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Séamus Ó Murchú Date of upload/revision: 25 March 2021