Fulacht fia in Ballynahown

On an upland karstic plateau, in a grassy bay bordered on its N side by a rising bedrock scarp from the base of which a number of springs issue, and within an extensive field system (CL004-027001-). A low, sod-covered flat-topped mound (10m N−S; 9m E−W; H 0.6m at SE) incorporating a shallow, poorly defined depression at NW, which is marked by richer grass growth and most likely indicates the location of the trough. The E−SE arc of the mound is well defined, the NW edge is lower and less distinct and the N edge abuts a rising rocky scarp. A concentration of limestone fragments in a matrix of black charcoal-rich soil is exposed on the eroded SE−S edge of the mound. A spring skirts the mound at E−S, flowing over the smooth surface of exposed limestone pavement, and continues to W where it merges with other springs in an area of damp, soggy ground. A number of close-set boulder line the edge of the stream immediately to W of the fulacht fia. The following images have been uploaded: CL004-082----_01.jpg View from E CL004-082----_02.jpg View from S CL004-082----_03.jpg View from NW CL004-082----_04.jpg Burnt stone and charcoal exposed at S edge of mound CL004-082----_05.jpg Row of large stones bordering the spring immediately W of the fulacht fia Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 10 November 2021