Hut site in Carrigskeewaun

Located on a small terrace (Wth c. 10-12m NE−SW), high on the steep NE-facing slope of a rocky NW−SE ridge. Ground falls away steeply from the NE edge of the terrace, dropping to a tidal sea inlet and an expanse of salt marsh. On the SW side of the terrace, a few meters from the possible hut site, the slope rises 3-4m to the narrow crest of the ridge where a possible cashel (MA105-020001-) is located. This small enclosure or possible hut site is not shown on the 1838 and 1919 OS 6-inch maps. It consists of an oval area (8m NW−SE; 6m NE−SW) enclosed by very slight remnants of a wall. The wall is evident as a low, sod-covered rise (Wth c. 0.8m; H 0.3m) incorporating large and medium-sized stones, some set on edge. The stones barely protrude above the sod. The wall is best preserved on its W arc, at NNE it backs onto a low area of heather-covered bedrock, and elsewhere it is very poorly defined, with several small gaps and a larger break (Wth c. 2m) at S. This possible hut site is so poorly preserved that it is impossible to be certain of its date or precise function. It is directly overlooked by the possible cashel (MA105-020001-); the proximity of the two may indicate that they are contemporary. However, it could also simply be the remains of a small structure of relatively recent date. Relict cultivation ridges are evident on the terrace and elsewhere on the ridge. Images: MA105-020002-_01.JPG Possible hut site viewed from SE MA105-020002-_02.JPG Location on terrace below possible cashel (MA105-020001-) (at Left), viewed from SE MA105-020002-_03.JPG Possible hut site viewed from N Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 1 November 2017