Enclosure in Rathmoney

In pasture, located on the narrow, level top of a steep-sided E−W ridge, in an area of hilly, undulating terrain interspersed with damp valleys. It is sited at the highest point of the ridge, and there are extensive views in all directions, with many natural landmarks clearly visible on the horizon: Carrowkeel and Kesh Corran Mountains to S, Knocknashee to SW, the Ox Mountains to W, Ben Bulbin and the Dartry Mountains at N−NE. This enclosure is not indicated on the 1836 and 1913 OS 6-inch maps. It is visible as an arc of bank on current aerial mapping. An arc (C. 24.5m NE−SW) of upstanding bank (Wth 5-6m; int. H 0.3m; ext. H 0.75m) curves SW−N, and appears to represent the W half of a circular enclosure (diam. 25-30m). There is, however, no trace at ground level or in aerial views of the E half of the enclosure. The bank has broadly slumped sides: the external slope is quite pronounced, especially at SW; the internal slope is low and merges seamlessly with surrounding ground. A section (L 4-5m) of the bank at NW is lower than the rest. The SW terminal of the bank coincides with the break of slope of the ridge top, where ground falls away very steeply. Outside the bank there is a slight depression (Wth 2-2.5m) marked by soft, rush-grown ground; this may indicate the presence of a fosse. Remnants of cultivation ridges traverse the ridge top on a roughly N−S axis, including the area that would have encompassed the enclosure interior. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 16 November 2018