Ecclesiastical enclosure in Knockrour,oughtihery

In level pasture. Subcircular area (c. 85m N-S; c. 90m E-W) bisected by N-S road; enclosure defined by low undulation N->S, clearly visible from the air (CASAP), low earthen bank with external silted fosse S->NW, and by almost entirely levelled bank NW->N. Entrance feature to SSW consists of two parallel upright stones (H 1.85m; 0.4m x 0.4m) set 1.7m apart; possible ogham inscription on westernmost stone (7996). Third low upright stone c. 2.5m to N. Raised area possibly an internal division extends from bank to NW towards centre of site. Most of 'earthen rampart' (Brash 1879, 132) removed by landowner in early 19th century; remaining portion included entrance feature which is marked 'Dallauns' on 1842 OS 6-inch map; this map does not show enclosure itself but does mark an unenclosed 'Kill Burial Ground' in vicinity of entrance (see 9357). Brash (ibid.) also notes that landowner reused 'considerable number of pillar stones' from site; on at least two occasions in early 19th century 'cist-formed graves' (ibid., 133) uncovered within enclosure (see 9357). Two further possible ogham stones (7993, 7994) also associated with enclosure; souterrain (8925) just inside levelled bank to N. Bullaun stone (9234) and holy well (9292) located some fields away to SW. All these factors suggest that this may be an early ecclesiastical site. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 3: Mid Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009