Enclosure in Bracklagh (costello By., Bekan Par.)

In pasture, located on a rise with a fall of ground to S and W. There are good views to W over a broad expanse of lowlying grassland and bog. Not indicated on the 1838 OS 6-inch map; an arc of hachuring curving SE−N and truncated by later field boundaries is shown on the 1916 edition. Slightly raised, broadly oval area (c. 29.3m N–S; c. 23m N–S) defined SE–S by a dilapidated scarp (H 0.4-1.4m) and at S–N by remnants of a bank (Wth c. 1.4m; int. H 0.3m; ext. H 0.7m, at W) evident as a low degraded rise. The enclosing element has been levelled at NNE–ESE. A short section of the bank at SW is faced and topped with stone, probably the result of relatively recent modification. A band (Wth c. 2m) of denser vegetation outside the bank at SW–NW may indicate an infilled fosse. A property fence on a NNE–SSW axis crosses the rath to W of centre, and a perpendicular fence extends to ESE through the SE quadrant. Grass cover; a few hawthorn and alder trees on the scarp at SE; hawthorn and sycamore line the field fences. It overlooks another rath (MA102-028----) which is located c. 100m downslope to SW. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 26 September 2022