Ballygastell Grave Yard — Ballygastell

On level ground with wide views, in an area of undulating pastureland and limestone outcrops within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL009-001001-). Indicated and labelled 'Ballygastell Grave Yard' on the 1842 and 1920 eds. of the OS 6-inch map. Listed as ‘Graveyard’ in the RMP (1996). Named 'Cill Bhaile Uí Ghaistéil' on Robinson's (1977) map. This subrectangular children's burial ground (int. dims. 29.5m N-S; 22.6m E-W) is defined by a collapsed and grassed-covered earth and stone wall (Wth 1.3m; Wth with tumble 2.4m; int. H 0.2-0.6m; ext. H 0.4-1.2m), in which inner and outer wall-faces of upright limestone slabs are visible intermittently. There may be an external fosse at the S, marked by a shallow nettle-filled band of slightly lower ground (Wth 1.1m) running parallel to the wall. At the SE this wall has been reduced to a barely visible scarp (L c. 3-4m), which may be the remains of an entrance. There is a small cattle gap at the S. The overgrown interior is generally flat. The S half contains many upright limestone slabs (av. H 0.25m; Wth 0.25m; T 0.08m); some of these are in rows oriented N-S, especially in the SW quadrant. Most of the slabs are simple and unworked, but several are finely shaped. This includes a prominent standing stone (CL008-055002-) near the W edge of the enclosure. In the SE corner is a low oval-shaped earth and stone platform (4m N-S; 3m E-W; H 0.7m), with a limestone slab (L 0.95m; Wth 0.65m; T 0.16m) lying prone on its W edge and a low, SE-leaning worked upright (H 0.85m; Wth 0.32m; T 0.11m) standing at the SE edge. Several low surface undulations in the N half of the enclosure may be grassed-covered uprights. The following images have been uploaded: CL008-055----_01.jpg Overall view from S CL008-055----_02.jpg View of interior from E Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 12 October 2022