Mound in Inis Gé Theas

On the summit of Knocknaskea, the highest point on Inishkea South. The location is marked as a trigonometrical point (230 feet OD) on the 1838 and 1921 OS 6-inch maps. A beacon stands 20m to S. A low, sod-covered relatively flat-topped oval or subrectangular mound (6.8m E−W; 3m N−S; H 0.5m at W, 0.3m at E). It is higher and relatively well defined on the W half where it has a raised internal rim or slight bank with a broad external slope from which stones protrude. The E half is low and gently slumped merging in an indistinct edge with surrounding ground. The top of the mound has an uneven surface. A large upright boulder (L 1.54m E−W; T 0.3m; H 0.5m) deeply set in the ground borders the N side of the mound at its E end, with a smaller lower stone (L 0.5m E−W; T 0.1-0.15m; H 0.28m) contiguous with it at W. These slabs intervene between the mound and an E-W earth and stone field bank (Wth 0.9-1m; H 0.3-0.4m) that traverses the hill top, and appears to slight the N edge of the mound. An angular quartz stone (max. dim. 0.45m) lies on top of the mound, roughly in the centre. The nature and date of this monument is uncertain. Attached images: MA023-034----_0.JPG viewed from S MA023-034----_02.JPG viewed from SE Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 28 July 2022

A Neolithic passage tomb; dates to the early Bronze Age. Its location on a prominent hilltop suggests ritual or ceremonial significance, common for such monuments in the Irish landscape.