Architectural feature in Kilferagh

In pasture, c. 400m W of the River Nore. A large oval enclosure (KK019-049001-) is depicted on the 1st (1839-40) OS 6-inch map, with trees in the interior. The enclosure is indicated as a tree-ring on the 1945-6 revision. The enclosure lies c. 190m SW of a farm yard associated with Kilfera House which lies c. 460m to the NE. St Fiachra’s church (KK020-050001-) and graveyard (KK020-050002-) lie c.290m to the E and Sheastown medieval church (KK024-001001-) and graveyard (KK024-001002-) lie across the townland boundary, c. 530m to the SE. It is described by Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 221-2) as, ‘About 80 perches [400m] west of Feechra’s Church-yard, and in the same townland of Kilferagh, there is an enclosed area forming a perfect circle, 65 yds. [c. 60m] in diameter. At first sight it appears to be surrounded by nothing more than a very thick rampart of earth, 5 or 6 ft. [c. 1.5-1.8m] high; but, on closer examination the centre of the rampart will be found to consist of a most solidly built wall, or caiseal, of well-laid stones and mortar, 5 ft. [c. 1.5m] thick, and faced all round, on both its sides, with heaped-up earth. The entrance to the enclosure is in the east side, through an arch of the same age as the caiseal and forming part and parcel of it. This arch [photographs in Carrigan], which is still fairly perfect, is probably one of the oldest specimens of its class in Ireland. It is round-headed, with the inclination of the sides very strongly marked. Its measurements are: sides 5 ft. [1.52m] high; arch, 2 ft. [0.61m] high, full height to apex of arch, 7 ft. [2.12m]; width above at turn of arch, 4 ft. 4 in. [1.31m], at the ground, 4 ft. 11 in. [1.49m]; side-walls or arch frame, about 5 ft. thick. In the centre of the enclosure are foundations of a church lying east and west, and measuring only 30 ft. by 15 ft. [c. 9m x 4.5m]. Beside the church is the grave of Mr. Ryan, of Kilferagh Ho., who died some years ago. Save for this grave and the foundations of the church, the inside of the enclosure presents a smooth, unbroken surface. The people know nothing of this most ancient place, and call it by no special name. They never heard of it to be used as a churchyard, and never knew of anyone to be buried in it but Mr. Ryan’. It seems likely that the mortared stone walling is of a relatively recent date and that the round-headed entrance doorway with imposts, which is an early 12th-century form, was possibly taken from another location, possibly the nearby St Fiachra’s church, and rebuilt as a folly, as part of a designed landscape feature on the grounds of Kilfera House.