Hut site in Hall Demesne

A circular stone structure (DG099-020----) surrounded by six cairns (DG099-021001- to DG099-021006-) was observed near the foreshore in sand dunes to the east of Mountcharles in September 2010. The features lie on a sand spit orientated SE−NW between an estuary and Donegal Bay. The features have been exposed by the erosion of a large sand dune, exacerbated by cattle grazing as well as stream erosion from the creek of Warren Channel to the NW. They cover an area around 20-25m². The circular stone structure, most likely a hut site, is defined by drystone walls (Wth 1.5-1.7m), constructed of cobbles and small boulders (0.12-0.3m in size), exposed to a height of 0.85m above the sand. It has an internal diameter of 3.5m, and external diameter of 6.6m. The eastern side remains concealed within the high eroding sand dune. Seaward of the hut site, the sand has eroded to expose six cairns (DG099-021001- to DG099-021006-), also of drystone beach cobble construction, ranging in size from 1.6m to 4.65m. Northwest of the hut site, towards Warren Channel, there are two other less clearly defined linear stone features (L c. 4m; Wth 1.58-3.3m), and c. 20m SE of these, a number of upright stones and possible cairns of uncertain significance are visible in less eroded grassland. (Pers. comm. Edward Pollard, 5th September 2010). Attached image is courtesy of E. Pollard, 2010: DG099-020----_01.JPG Hut site with adjacent cairns (DG099-021001- to DG099-021006-) viewed from E Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision:10 September 2010