Crannog in Coolure Demesne

Listed by O'Sullivan (2004, 65-6) as Coolure Demesne 2. Situated 8m S of the N shoreline of Lough Derravaragh overlooked by the impressive ringfort (WM007-003---) 90m to the N, and a crannóg (WM007-004----) 150m to S. Described by O'Sullivan (ibid.) as following; 'a large, oval cairn (dims. 27m N-S x 36m E-W; H 1.5m) at the water’s edge, perhaps an enhanced natural feature. It is highest at its NE end. There is a level, kidney-shaped platform across the upper surface, 14m E-W, 8m N-S. The cairn slopes gradually off to the E and S sides, and more steeply to the W and N (towards the shore). The surface is largely composed of large, outcropping boulders (L. 70cm, Wth 40cm, T 15cm), although there are smaller stones exposed to the SE. Although the cairn appears to be attached to the shore at its NE end by a platform (10m), there is also a stone causeway, L 10m, Wth 50cm and 10cm in height from its mid-point to the shore, oriented NE-SW. There are also a number of smaller, rocky islets or platforms along the water’s edge in the vicinity. The most prominent is situated in the water (15m from shore) to the WSW of this site, measuring 5m N-S, 4.3m E-W, 20cm height. These appear to be deliberately enhanced. This site was discovered during fieldwork, no previous finds are known from its surface. This crannóg appears to be a natural mound that has been enhanced by scarping around its edges, with a stone causeway constructed joining it to the land. It may have been occupied during the early medieval period, given its close proximity to an early medieval crannóg and ringfort'.(O'Sullivan et. al. 2007, 119) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 13 February 2017