Enclosure in Ummeryroe

In pasture, located on a low rise, with a natural scarp or drop on the S side, in gently undulating limestone terrain. There is a river c. 200m to W. This enclosure is not indicated on any edition of the OS 6-inch maps; it is visible in aerial imagery. A very slightly raised circular area (24m E−W; 24m N−S) defined on the perimeter by a low, stony bank/wall footings. On the N arc the bank is largely concealed by long grass, but it is possible to trace a low rise (Wth 1.5-2m) incorporating moss-covered stones and boulders. A sod-covered stony bank (Wth c. 2m; int. H 0.2m; ext. H 0.5-0.6m) is more clearly exposed as a for a short length at NE. Elsewhere around the circuit it can be traced as intermittent moss-covered hummocks from which stones protrude randomly. The interior is relatively level, with a rather uneven, grass and thistle-covered surface. In the centre, there is a shallow, roughly circular, grassed-over hollow (diam. c. 4m; D c. 0.4m), which has a slightly raised rim (Wth 1-1.4m) on its outer edge at W. The significance of this feature is uncertain. A field fence on an ESE−WNW axis cross the N half of the enclosure, and clips the N arc of the circular hollow. Another fence on a N−S axis clips the W edge of the enclosure. A fragment of another field fence, incorporating large boulders, abuts the SW side of the enclosure; it extends to SW from the enclosure for c. 5-6m, beyond which point it has been removed. The date and nature of this enclosure is uncertain. It is very different in form from the earthen rath (SL034-063----) which is located 155m to NNW. Attached images: SL034-262----_01.JPG Enclosure viewed from N SL034-262----_02.JPG circular hollow in interior of enclosure, viewed from W. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 20 September 2022