Ceremonial enclosure in Beakstown

Situated on a low sloping E-W gravel ridge, the site utilises the downslope to the N and S, and the end of the ridge to the E. The large size of the monument along with the presence of an inner fosse suggests that this may be the remains of a prehistoric ritual enclosure rather than the remains of a large ringfort (pers. comm. Denis Power 04/12/2017). Described in 1951 by R. D. Fluskey in an Ordnance Survey Field Memorandum as 'an ancient earthwork locally known as a Fort' (SMR File). See attached file for sketch plan and section of the monument drawn by R. D Fluskey on the 22/12/1951. Levelled site is barely visible as a raised area with a central depression, diameter c. 50m N-S. The enclosure (approx. overall diam. 85m N-S x 90m E-W) is depicted on both the 1st (1843) and current (1952-3) eds. of the OS 6-inch maps as a circular-shaped area defined by a wide inner fosse and external bank with a post-1700 quarry hole in the W quadrant. Post-1700 limekiln c. 20m to ENE with levelled field boundary intersecting enclosing bank at NE, SSE and NNW. Interior of monument appears to have been subjected to small scale agricultural quarrying from the post-1700 period onwards. The cropmark of a wide inner fosse and levelled external bank are clearly visible on aerial photographs taken between July 1968 and July 1971 (CUCAP AVT056; AYP080; BDL051; BGN100/101). These cropmarks were not visible at the time of inspection. The aerial photographs taken on 20th July 1968 (CUCAP AVT056) and 11th July 1969 (CUCAP AYP080) shows the monument as a slightly raised circular area defined by a wide internal fosse and broad external bank. Aerial photographs taken 19th of July 1971 shows a large white area inside the monument which may be the result of small scale gravel extraction. In 2000 archaeological testing by Richard O'Brien of a development c. 30m to the southwest of the levelled ringfort, revealed a large sub-soil cut ditch (Wth 3.7m) feature and a possible associated hearth feature (TN041-062001-). The ditch was not investigated further and no finds were recovered. This testing was carried out under Licence No. 00E0892 (Bennett 2002, 325). Aerial photograph (GB89.AB.18) shows cropmark of large circular enclosure defined by two concentric fosses; some traces of internal detail including a linear fosse which may indicate the position of a possible souterrain (TN041-062002-). The above report has been compiled by Dr. G.F. Barrett and supplied to the Archaeological Survey of Ireland. Date of this report: 06/11/09 The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary. Vol. 1 - North Tipperary' compiled by Jean Farrelly and Caimin O'Brien (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 5 December 2017