Enclosure in Knockbrack (corran By.)

In pasture, located on terrace on the S-facing slope of a ridge. The location provides extensive views in a broad sweep from ESE–NW; in the immediate foreground at S–SW, the slope drops into a valley backed by an arc of hills. Views are blocked N–NE where the slope rises to the summit of the ridge. This enclosure is not indicated on the 1838 and 1914 OS 6-inch maps. It has been levelled in the relatively distant past, but is evident in current aerial views and at ground level as a circular area (diam. c. 20-21m) outlined by low undulations. At ground level the enclosure is most clearly defined at SSE–SW, where a broad, low curving scarp (ext. H 1.2m at S) is cut into the hill slope, coinciding with the contour of the natural terrace, and at NW where there is a low rise or undulation, representing an arc of levelled bank. At N–E the barely discernible outline of a levelled field boundary skirts the enclosure, respecting its curve and continuing in a straight line to N and S beyond the enclosure: this is evident at N-NNE as curving inward-facing scarp (H 0.8m), which diminishes and peters out towards the E. A slight depression/gap (Wth 2-2.5m) intervenes between the enclosure and this skirting field boundary suggesting that the enclosure may have an enclosing fosse. An extant N–S field fence truncates the W edge of the enclosure, and a short length of a roughly E-W field bank skirts the SW arc. The interior of the enclosure is relatively level in the N half, with a slight slope down in the S half, mirroring the natural terrace. Attached image: SL039-168----_01.JPG viewed from E Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 9 July 2019