Enclosure in Knocknashee Common

On the plateau-like top of Knocknashee hill, at a break of slope on the E side and abutting the inner defences of the hillfort (SL032-013001-) at E. A D-shaped area (dims. 29m E-W) defined by a ruinous stone wall that survives as a sod-covered stony rise (Wth 2m). A roughly constructed field boundary wall (Wth 0.6m) borders the straight side (L 64.5m N-S) at E. A jumble of stones barely protruding from the base of the field boundary wall is the remains of the hillfort wall. The interior slopes down gently to E and encompasses an area of uneven stony ground. Just inside the enclosing wall at WNW is a low circular sod-covered platform (10.4m N-S; 9m E-W; H 0.3m) with stones protruding randomly from the sod around the perimeter. Adjacent at N is a sod-covered stony area, possibly an expanse of limestone bedrock. A ruined sod-covered wall (Wth 1-1.2m; H 0.3m) partitions off the S third of the interior. Within this area abutting the enclosure wall at SW is a roughly circular stony rise (c. 6m NW-SE; 5m NE-SW; H 0.3m). 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