Enclosure in Cloghcor

In pasture, located on the top of a ridge. Ground falls away in a steep slope to E and more gradually to SE−S. Ground rises again further S to a ridge top on which a portal tomb (SL007-026----) is located 275m to SSW. Views are good to N over undulating terrain, and extensive to E, where a rath (SL007-021001-) is visible on a ridge c. 600m to E, with Drumcliff Bay beyond. Gently rising ground restricts views to W. There is a farmyard at the base of the slope immediately to S. According to local information, this is the site of an enclosure, and the location was traditionally known as the ‘fort field’. It is not indicated on OS 6-inch maps. Little remains of the enclosure. A shallow arc of field fence/bank is extant, merging at its SW and NE ends with straight field fences, and coinciding with the boundary between Cloghcor and Cloghboley townlands. It may preserve the W half of a roughly circular enclosure (diam. 15-20m). It is engulfed in overgrowth and difficult to examine. It appears to consist of a curving bank (Wth c. 2-3m; int. H c. 1m; ext. H 1.6m) of earth and stone with a broad slump on the W side. The E face is cut to the vertical and faced with stones. Although clearly been modified to serve as a boundary fence, it is noticeably more substantial than the adjoining straight field fences. The E half of the enclosure probably coincided with the natural coutour/break of slope of the hill, but no trace of an enclosing element is now visible on that side. In the early 1990’s, a rectangular hearth-like feature (L c 2m; Wth c.1m) was exposed in the interior area of the enclosure during ground works to create a farm track. It was defined by a setting of low rectilinear stones, and containing black soil. Three fragments representing approximately three-quarters of a rotary quern stone were found in the hearth-like feature. One fragment had a small, rough cross incised on it. The whereabouts of the quern fragments are now unknown (pers. comm. Leo Leydon). Notified to NMS by Leo Leydon. Attached images: SL007-056----_01.JPG: Location viewed from S SL007-056----_02.JPG: Arc of bank viewed from W SL007-056----_03.JPG: Arc of bank viewed from WNW Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 13 August 2021