Cashel — Rusheens East

Located on a rise in hilly pasture. Named ‘Cashel’ on the 1838 and 1919 OS 6-inch maps. Circular area (39.8m E–W; 40m N–S) defined by a stony scarp (H 1m at N, 1.4m at S), largely incorporated into a later system of field walls. The scarp is evident as a stony embankment, with accumulations of loose field clearance stones and boulders along its top and abutting its slope, and it is partly obscured by blackthorn bushes. At N–NE it is faced with roughly constructed drystone walling, which is relatively recent in date. A later field wall (Wth 0.6-1m; H 0.6-1.4m), set 2-4m in from the top edge of the scarp, encircles the interior. A break in this wall at SW (Wth 1.3m) and another very narrow break at NE allow access to the interior. A ruined, overgrowth-covered field wall, oriented NNE–SSW, crosses the centre of the interior. This wall coincides with a change in interior ground level; to its E, interior ground level is lower and has a gentle slope down to E–SE. The cashel interior is grassy, and the perimeter is ringed with blackthorn, hawthorn, and hazel trees. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 2 June 2021