Hilltop enclosure in Knocksaintlour

Enclosing the top of Knocksaintour hill, in pasture. There is a panoramic view from this monument which includes several prominent monuments such as Rathnadrinna hilltop enclosure (TS061-089001-) c. 650m to the E; a possible henge (TS069-002001-) at Carron 1.8km to the S; a hilltop enclosure (TS061-072----) on Windmill hill 1.2m to the NW and the Rock of Cashel 3.1km to the NNW. The monument was identified on aerial photographs (Colm Chambers 2012). The N arc of a bank are all that survive above ground of this hilltop enclosure. The roughly circular enclosing element is clearly visible as a cropmark on aerial photographs (diam. 76m N-S; 63m E-W). The cropmark corresponds with the base of the hilltop. The bank (int. H 1.1m; ext. H 1.2m; Wth at top 1.3m; Wth at base 3.3m) in the N quadrant has been incorporated into an E-W field boundary, which apart from this arc consists of a low, unimpressive bank. There is a slight suggestion of an outer fosse (Wth 4.5m; D 0.2m) in the N quadrant but this may be a depression caused by animals sheltering against the bank. The hill (H 1.9m) rises quite sharply in the interior 6m S of the bank. There is a depression in the NE quadrant between the hillslope and the bank, possibly a result of quarrying. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 13 June 2013