Hilltop enclosure in Magherashaghry — Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

Hilltop enclosure stands as a large oval embanked fort on the northern edge of a broad drumlin ridge in Magherashaghry. Its grass-covered interior spans one hundred and thirty-eight metres, bounded by a low bank, outer fosse and external earthwork that have resisted modern development. The shape appears unchanged on maps from 1834 to 1907, suggesting continuous human recognition of its boundaries. Animals may have grazed inside it while people walked past its hedge, treating the ancient line as ordinary rather than sacred.

Situated on a rise towards the N edge of a broad NE-SW drumlin ridge. It is depicted as a large oval embanked enclosure on the 1834 edition of the OS 6-inch map where it is described in gothic lettering as a ‘fort’, and as a large hachured oval feature on the 1907 edition. This is a large oval grass-covered area (dims 138m NW-SE; 94m NE-SW) defined by a low bank or scarp (Wth 2m; H 1.4-1.8m) with a hedge, stretches of an outer fosse (at NW: Wth of top 3.3m; Wth of base 2.5m; D 0.5m), and an external bank at WNW (Wth of base 5m; Wth of top 1.8m; ext. H 1.4m). An original entrance is not identified and It is surrounded by a field bank ENE-SE. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Monaghan' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1986). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 20 June 2018

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