Enclosure in Garreens

In pasture, on a natural rise in gently undulating limestone terrain, with good views in all directions. A field drain skirts the SE−SW side of the rise. The Robe River is c. 500m to N. Not shown on any edition of the OS 6-inch maps. Recorded in an aerial photograph (SMR file: GSI M 26-7; Roll 205, pr. 5). An oblong or subrectangular area (36.8m NW−SE; 16m NE−SW) enclosed by a low earth and stone bank (Wth 2.3m (top 1.3m); int. H 0.2m; ext. H 0.55m, at NW). The sod-covered, gravelly bank incorporates occasion large stones. At SE it back up against a low natural rise. There is a broad break (Wth 7.4m) in the bank at NE and several smaller breaks/eroded sections, especially along the S−SW arc. A shallow depression/fosse (Wth 1.1m) is visible on the inner edge of the bank on the NW half. The interior is level in the NW half, but slopes down from centre to SE. It has an uneven surface, covered in tussocky grass. A concentration of loose stones lies on the surface at S. The rise on which the enclosure is located reaches a height of c. 1.5m above surrounding ground level at NE and c. 2m at SW. The enclosure encompasses most of the top of rise, largely conforming to its natural contours. The slope of the rise extends beyond the enclosure for several meters to SE and S, and is cut by several small quarry pits (8-10m across). The nature and date of this enclosure is uncertain. It does not seem to be a rath. It might be relatively late in date, possibly a cultivation plot utilising the higher, drier ground provided by the natural rise, however, no cultivation ridges are visible. Prior to modern drainage the ground surrounding the natural rise would have been wet. Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 20 December 2022