Fulacht fia in Derryherbert

In pasture, located on a gentlE S-facing slope on the W bank of a rocky stream, which flows S to join the Owenmore River. Croagh Patrick is visible on the far horizon to NNW. This fulacht fia is well preserved. It is evident as a compact horseshoe-shaped mound (10.5m N–S; 7.5m E–W), with a deep, well-defined central depression (2m N–S; 3m E–W), which opens to the stream at E. The mound is composed of a dense concentration of heat-shattered stone fragments in a matrix of black, charcoal-rich soil. It has a pronounced slope (H 1.25m) on its S side, where it has been built up higher due to a natural fall of ground, with a lower shirt (Wth c. 1m) of mound material protruding at the base of the mound here; on the W-N arc, there is a much lower, gentler slope (H 0.4-0.5m at W, 0.3m at N), merging almost seamless on the N side with the surrounding ground. A number of large stones are visible at the base of the mound along its E edge where it borders the stream; it is possible that some of these were deliberately set to prevent the accumulated burnt stone slipping into the stream. A single large stone (L 1.25m N–S; Wth 0.3m; H 0.27m) protrudes from the edge of the mound at SW. Large, relatively flat slabs of natural bedrock border the stream immediately to N of the fulacht fia, and might have provided a convenient seating area. Notified to NMS by Michael Gibbons. Attached images: MA107-012----_01.JPG Fulacht fia viewed from S MA107-012----_01.JPG Fulacht fia viewed from SW MA107-012----_01.JPG Fulacht fia viewed from N, showing central depression Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 21 May 2019