Enclosure in Ballyseedy

'This site is situated on top of a large limestone reef, which is now partially tree covered. It has commanding views in all directions, but again, as in the previous example, the dominant aspect is southwards. The larger of the mountaintop cairns at Clahane is visible through a gap in the mountains to the south. The surrounding land has been intensively farmed, this reef having partially escaped due to the unprofitable nature of the rock outcrop. However cattle do graze on this grass-covered reef, and so the banks of the enclosure have been trampled and flattened. This site consists of a central enclosure surrounded at varying distances by portions of at least three banks, none of which completely encircle the central enclosure. The circular central enclosure is 37.0m in diameter and is constructed on a sharp slope. A noticeable drop in ground level is apparent from west to east, with the result that ground level at east is approximately 2.00m lower than the remains of the top of the denuded bank at west. The enclosing bank survives best at east, being 6.50m wide. At this point the bank is 1.60m high externally and 1.20m high internally. The bank is constructed of a mixture of earth and stone. A 4.00m wide break in the bank occurs at north west, but it is impossible to say for certain if this represents an entrance feature. This enclosure has a dished interior. When standing in the centre the view is predominantly eastwards, with some views to the north and south. All aspects to the west are blocked off by the sharp rise in ground level. Therefore it would seem unlikely that this enclosure was constructed as a habitation site given the steep gradient of the interior. Internally abutting the western interior of the site is an almost circular area of stone collapse, measuring 9.00m N-S by 8.50m E-W, with a 4.75m diameter central depression. This central depression is 0.50m in depth. Externally at west the area of collapse is 0.30m in height. At east, taking the fall of ground into consideration, the height or the area of stone collapse may be as much as 1.75m. Exact determinations cannot be made as this area is now grass covered. Partially surrounding this enclosure from west through to north is the remains of a low bank, 0.30m in height. The distance between the enclosure and this bank is 5.10m, the bank itself is 5.00m in width, and would appear to be constructed of a mixture of earth and stone. A faint trace of this bank can be discerned near the field boundary to the east, at a distance of 9.00m from the central enclosure. Surrounding this, at a further distance of 6.70m from the above bank is the remains of another bank, which curves in a wide arc from west through north to east. The distance of this bank from the enclosure varies, being 35.0m from the central enclosure at east, but only 17.0m from the enclosure at west. This bank is 5.50m in width, has an internal height of 0.25m and an external height of 0.40m.. It survives best to the west and north of the enclosure. This is probably as a result of its location on the limestone reef- the portion which lies in the cultivated field to the east is not as clearly visible, no doubt due to agricultural practices. The remains of a third outer bank survive from south west through west to north west at a distance of 29.0m from the second bank (51.0m from the central enclosure). This bank runs from a field boundary at south west and seems to fade out along the north western extent of the limestone reef. The landowner suggested that the bank used to be more prominent but had suffered from being walked on by cattle. The bank is now 6.30m in width, is 0.20m high internally and is 0.35m high externally. This seems to have been constructed entirely of earth. At a distance of 32.0m to the west of this earthen bank is a sharp drop, curving from south west through to west. This would appear to represent the outer western edge of the hilltop complex. The land owner has filled in hollows and dumped material here in recent years. Approximately 40.0m to the north of this reef is a large circular limestone cave/ hollow. It is estimated to be c.20m in depth and fills with water at certain times of the year. It may have some association with the hilltop enclosure on the limestone reef.' Compiled by Michael Connolly for the Archaeological Survey of Ireland as part of a survey of the Lee Valley area in 1996-97. Date of upload: 03 May 2012