Enclosure in Capnagower

Situated close to the highest point (39m OD) of a hill in the north-eastern part of the townland, c. 50m WSW of a circular house (MA085-009004-). There are wide views from NE through E to S across and along Clew Bay from the site, but the view in other directions is limited. The monument lies in an area of grassed-over, well-preserved tillage ridges that abut the monument in the northern and eastern sectors. Two roughly parallel dilapidated drystone walls running E–W partially overlie the edges of the monument along N and S sectors. A sheep pen lies 15m to NE, and another (much dilapidated) appears to have been built into the south-western sector of the monument. It consists of a roughly circular area (NW–SE 15.3m, NE–SW 15.7m externally) comprising a central hollow defined by a band of cairn-like material that is externally revetted. The external revetment, which consists of large blocks and small boulders, is much dilapidated and obscured in places. While many of the revetment stones are of relatively modest proportions (max. dim. 0.5m), one slim slab at N is almost megalithic in character (L 1.5m × Wth 0.25m × H 0.7m). From SW through W to NW, the revetment is most clearly defined, although dilapidated. Elsewhere it is either embedded in soil/stones, overlain by field walls or removed. At SSW an oblong hollow (NE–SE c. 3m, NW– SW c. 1m)—possibly a sheep pen—has been partially cut into the side of the monument, completely removing the revetment and part of the cairn. There is no trace of the revetment at E for a distance of 3m: the presence of a number of transversely set slabs here suggests that there may have been a gap in the line or possibly an entrance in this sector. The revetment delimits the outer edge of a wide band (Wth 3–4m) of cairn-like materials (a mass of stones). These, in turn, surround the central hollow, roughly circular in plan (dia. 7.20–8.00m), its sides defined by a grassy scarp. Although now up to 1.2m below the surrounding cairn, this hollow has been disfigured (but not deepened) by at least one and possibly two tillage ridges (Wth 2m) that run across it roughly N–S. From its morphology, this monument is unlikely to be a dwelling. It could be a ring- cairn/barrow, but the transversely set slabs at S may indicate that it was a penannular monument. 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: 4 December 2018