Booley hut in Bunnamohaun

This is one of eight huts (MA084-004001- to MA084-004008-) ranged in a cluster around the N and NE sides of a small natural basin or fold, through which a stream flows, on the lower SW slopes of Knockmore. A notable feature of this cluster is that the huts tend to occur in pairs. The location is locally named ‘Prawke’, and, according to tradition, the huts were associated with booleying. This hut sits on N bank of the stream at the extreme western end of the basin close to the outflow point. The site comprises the much-disturbed remains of a small roughly square house (WNW– ESE 4.2m, NNE–SSW 4.1m) that is partially overlain along its ESE and W sides by two other turf stacks (now ruined). It appears to have been defined by a low bank that is best preserved along the north- north-eastern side (Wth 1.5m, H 0.4m internally). Nothing of this survives along the east-south-eastern side, and only fragmentary remains of it are visible along the south-south-western side, where a pit has been dug into its line. A number of stones protrude from the bank along the latter side, and there is a large stone near the northern corner. The interior is relatively flat and stone free, save for a large partly sod covered flat stone (L 0.9m Wth 0.4m). A hut (MA084-004002-), part of the Prawke Group of eight huts and houses, lies slightly upslope to NE some 10m distant and a ruined turf stand lies c. 4m to E. The above description is derived from: New Survey of Clare Island. Volume 5: Archaeology. Edited by Paul Gosling, Conleth Manning and John Waddell. (Royal Irish Academy, Dublin. 2007). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 29 November 2018