Cashel Bir or Bawnboy — Castleore

In undulating rocky pasture, on the summit of a small hillock with a stream at its base on the W side. This cashel is a national monument in State care (no. 277). An oval area (21m E-W; 16m N-S) enclosed by a substantial drystone wall (Wth 3m; int. H 1m; ext. H 2.4m). In parts, a low foundation plinth of prostrate slabs protrudes slightly at the base of the external face. This was necessary in order to stabilise the wall, which is built almost at the break of slope at the top of the hillock. The entrance (Wth c. 1.2m) is at ENE and is now partially blocked by large stones displaced from the collapsed S jamb. From the entrance the gentle ramp-like slope of the hillock drops to a spine of elevated ground forming a natural routeway to E. Immediately outside the entrance, slightly to N of the N jamb, there are two large contiguous upright slabs set perpendicular to the cashel wall. Another large upright slab is located c. 5m down slope to ENE, adjacent to a concentration of stones. In the centre of the level grassy interior two large prostrate slabs (max. dim. 1.2-1.7m) are embedded in the ground. A dilapidated field wall (Wth c. 1m; H 0.5m), largely obscured by overgrowth and superseded by a post and wire fence, encloses the base of the hillock NW-SW, continuing to W beyond the cashel. No evidence of a chamber noted by Milligan (1890-91, 577) in the thickness of the wall, which was entered by a small square-headed door (H 2 ft 6 ins [0.76m]; Wth 2 ft [0.6m]) to which access was not gained as it was filled with rubbish and rubble. According to local tradition, the chamber gave access to a secret passage, which led to the bottom of the hill (ibid.). Skeletons were frequently found in the ground outside the cashel (Milligan 1890-1, 577). Recorded in 1836 as 'Badhbun Buidhe' (OSL, 254) and in 1894 as 'The Bauven Crin' (the fortress of Belonna) (Kerr Kirker 1894, 278). Recorded as 'Caisleán Oir or Caisleán Uabhair (castle of pride)' (Faughnan 1943). A possible souterrain (SL021-028001-) is associated with this cashel. Another cashel (SL021-027----) is located c. 120m to W. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005). Date of upload: 18 January 2008