Moated site in Ballylahiff (coonagh By.)

In poorly drained reclaimed pasture, 58m S of townland boundary with Shanaclogh West, within a field system (LI033A004002-). Depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map as an oval-shaped platform defined by a scarp. Shown on the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map as sub-rectangular shaped area (dims. c. 23m N-S; 28m E-W) defined by a scarp and fosse, intersected from SW-W-NW by a field boundary running NE-SW. Described in 1960 as a; ‘Platform 90 feet [27.4m] in diameter; has traces of a bank on it’s edge. It is 5 feet [1.5m] over field level and has a continuous shallow ditch 5 feet [1.5m] wide. Ditch has a low 9 foot [2.7m] wide bank encircling it. A wide shallow ditch runs southward from the monument to the field boundary’ (O’Dwyer 1958-61, 113; Ballylahiff 48). Site visited by Celie O’Rahilly in 1992 and described as following; ‘An aerial photograph (CUCAP AVT042, 20/07/1968), supplied by the Co. Limerick SMR Office, shows an extensive linear earthwork field system surround a rectangular earthwork, (possible moated site), which is located co-tangent with the western field boundary. This site standing proud of the rest of the field, its height being accentuated by the surrounding ditch which is approx. 6.5m wide. The internal measurements of the rectangular “platform” are approx. 20m east-west by 22m north-south.’ Monument clearly visible on OSi orthophotograph taken between 2005-12 and on Google Earth orthoimage. See attached profile by O’Dwyer, CUCAP aerial photograph and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 21 April 2021