Ecclesiastical site in Annagh (coolavin By.)

In rough pasture, at the NW end of a peninsula jutting westwards into the S part of Lough Gara. According to local information, this is the location of a monastery or convent (pers. comm. Kevin Forde 2020). The remains consist of a low, grass-covered earth and stone bank (Wth 2.5m; H 0.3-0.6m) which curves E−WNW in a shallow arc (cord L 20m). The arc of bank spans the space between two straight, roughly N−S field boundaries/hedgerows, which clip the terminals of the arc. A low concentration (diam. c. 2m) of stones protrudes from the grass close to the E terminal. The space enclosed by the arc consists of rough, uneven ground, which stretches N for c. 22m to an E−W scarp/hedgerow defining the N edge of the field. The E−W scarp drops c. 0.6m to a flat expanse of damp ground, which stretches 35-40m N to the lake shore and is likely to have been at least partly inundated in the past when lake levels were higher. There is a local tradition of buildings in the vicinity of the arc of bank but none are now visible; the area is covered in long grass, rushes and clumps of brambles. There are no known documentary sources to corroborate the existence of a religious foundation here; it is not listed in A. Gwynn and R.N. Hadcock, 'Medieval Religious Houses. Ireland' (1970). The nature and date of this site remain uncertain. Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 21 May 2021