Enclosure in Gorteen (dangan Ed)

In deciduous woodland, on a generally level, elevated area overlooking the creek of a meandering stream to E. Recorded by Westropp (1914-16, 66-7) as the southernmost of two enclosures which he labelled ‘I’ on his map ‘Gorteen Group of Forts’ and described as ‘a levelled ring’. Westropp (ibid.) continues: ‘About the middle of the southern fosse [of enclosure CL035-018001-] was a stone causeway leading to a ring-wall [CL035-018003-], now greatly levelled. The cathair is 98 feet across the garth. The wall is perfect round the craggy platform to the north-east. It is of rather poor coursed dry-stone masonry, and 4 feet to 5 feet high…..it seems from 6 feet to 10 feet thick. There were late cabins in the garth…..they are now nearly effaced’. This monument is depicted on the 25-inch OS map as a sub-circular area (c. 30m E-W; c. 29m N-S) located immediately S of enclosure (CL035-118001-). The enclosing elements (where seen), were defined by a collapsed drystone wall (int. H 0.4m; ext. H 1.1m; Wth at top 1m; overall Wth 5.9m) which was visible only SE-S and NNW-NNE due to dense, impenetrable overgrowth. A fosse (Wth c. 3-5m; D c. 1.2m) is located to N, between this and enclosure (CL035-118001-). The interior appears generally level but is mostly obscured by vegetation. The 100 foot contour skirts around the monument N-E-S, being located on higher ground overlooking the stream to E. A limekiln which is depicted on the 25-inch OS map at SSE-S was noted as a depression. The following images have been uploaded: CL035-118003-_01.jpg From S. Oblique cross-sectional view of bank at S. CL035-118003-_02.jpg From ENE. View across interior, covered in dense vegetation. CL035-118003-_03.jpg From W. General view overlooking meandering stream to E with white farm house and farm buildings in distance. Compiled by: Mary Tunney, Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 30 January 2018