Field boundary in Mountcharles

In the NW corner of a field of rush-grown pasture, on the N outskirts of Mountcharles village, located on the S-facing slope of a ridge, overlooking Donegal Bay to SE. A discrete length of field boundary (L c. 40m), on a roughly N−S axis, is evident as a moss-covered stone and earth bank (Wth 1-1.2m; H 0.2-0.4m). It is not shown on any edition of the OS 6-inch maps. The remains are low and poorly preserved, and its full original extent is unknown: at its N end it peters out close to the N boundary of the field -this section is partly concealed by a thicket of brambles; towards its S end it arcs gently to SW and also peters out. A few large stones or boulders lie close to, but not directly on the line of the field boundary. These appear to be field clearance stones dumped against the field boundary. The surrounding ground surface in the field is uneven and undulating. The southern section of the field boundary differs significantly in character. It consists of a row (L c. 10m) of 10-12 large stones and boulders, set between 0.2-0.6m apart. The majority of stones in the row are roughly square or rectangular blocks of stones (max. L c. 1m N-S; Wth c. 0.3-0.45m E−W; H 0.3-0.6m), relatively low in height; the stones at the N end of the row are lowest and merge with the main body of the earth and stone field boundary. However, three stones, more or less in the centre of the row, are conspicuously tall and upright. The three tall uprights (c. 0.5 by 0.6m; H 1.2-1.45m) are rectangular in basal cross-section, but have sharply angular sides that tapers towards a pointed apex, giving each a roughly triangular appearance. They are not contiguous at their bases, but the most northerly of the three tilts to S and leans against the middle stone, and the middle stone leans against the most southerly of the three. They stand firmly and solidly, but nevertheless do not appear to be deeply set in the ground. The date of the field boundary as a whole is unknown. The significance of the row of stones -and of the three tall stones, in particular - is uncertain. Some of the large stones may be later additions to the field boundary, but it is also possible the row of stones is part of an earlier wall or structure that was incorporated into the earth and stone boundary. Attached images: DG093-026----_01.JPG Field boundary, viewed from N DG093-026----_02.JPG Row of stones at the S end of the field boundary DG093-026----_03.JPG Three upright stones in the row of stones at S end of field boundary Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 17 November 2020