Lurgan Enclosure

In pasture, located on top of a knoll in undulating, hilly limestone terrain, with views to W over Donegal Bay, and overlooked to S by Lurgan Hill. Subcircular area (32m E–W; 26.5m N–S) defined by a scarp, which encompasses the flat top of the knoll. At SSE–W the enclosing scarp (H 0.5-0.8m) coincides with the steep natural slope of the knoll. At NW–NNE it is topped in parts with a slight stony rim, probably the remnants of a wall. At NE–ESE it is difficult to trace, and is partly obscured at NE by the wall footings (H 0.2-0.3m) of a rectangular two-roomed house (overall L c. 18-19m E–W; Wth 5-6m), and at E–SE by a later field fence/property boundary, engulfed in brambles, which skirts the enclosure. The date of the enclosure is uncertain: In size, shape, siting, and when seen in aerial views, it could be interpreted as a ringfort. It is also possible, however, that it is late in date, contemporary with the rectangular house which appears to be vernacular in style but is not shown on the 1836 and 1907 OS 6-inch maps. Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 7 July 2015