Enclosure in Kilcummin

In pasture, located on level ground at a low cliff edge on the W side of Kilcummin Head. This enclosure is not shown on the 1838 and 1922 OS 6-inch maps. It consists of a roughly D-shaped area (c. 43m NNE–SSW; c. 18-24m WNW–ESE) defined on the curving side NE–SW by a haphazard concentration of medium and large stone slabs, and on the straight side to W–NW by a low cliff edge dropping to the shoreline where horizontal shelves of rock extend into the sea. The curving perimeter or ‘wall’ of slabs is evident as a jumble of loose, overlapping prostrate stones. In parts, there are set, upright stones (sample size: L 1.3m; H 0.8m; T 0.25m), most clearly seen at S–SW where an arc of close-set, low upright slabs, in a single row, is evident. The interior area is strewn with stones, which do not appear to form any coherent pattern. Remnants of a possible bisecting wall extends NE–SW through the interior to NE of centre; this is evident as a low, discontinuous line of stones, set in a ‘domino-like’ arrangement, with their long axes parallel to each other and perpendicular to the orientation of the wall as a whole. This enclosure is unusual, and its function and date difficult to determine. A modern field wall lies adjacent to the NE edge of the enclosure. A midden (MA008-011001-) is exposed at the cliff edge immediately to N of the enclosure. Attached images: MA008-011----_01.JPG Viewed from SE MA008-011----_01.JPG Viewed from NW Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 15 July 2019