Crannog in Faughalstown

Listed by O'Sullivan (2004, 70-1) as Faughalstown 1. Located in deep water (c.3-4m), c.70m off the E shore of Lough Derravaragh. This previously unknown crannóg is nevertheless a locally well-known islet, named “Cormorant Island”. In summer time, it is barely visible above the lake, although the bulk of the submerged stone cairn is visible in the clear water. A small flock of cormorants is habitually present on the cairn through the summer time, making it highly visible from long distances. The crannóg has excellent views in all directions, with good views across the lake to another small crannóg (WM007-127---). The site is very exposed to wind and wave action and tends to be submerged during the winter. The crannóg is overlooked by a steep hill to the NE, where there is a ringfort (WM007-028----), 400m to the NE. A large, rectangular earthwork castle known as ‘Mortimer’s Castle’(WM007-44) is 600m to the E. Described by O'Sullivan (ibid.) as following; 'a large, circular stony cairn (approx. dims. 15m N-S x 14m E-W; H 3m) built in deep water (3-4m depth). It consists of a large cairn of angular limestone blocks (50cm length, 20cm width, 10cm thickness) and smaller stones (15cm in length, 10cm width). The upper surface is a level, circular platform (measuring 8m (NW-SE), 6m (NE-SW). The cairn’s sides slope gradually down to the lakebed on the south, west and north sides, but it is markedly steeper on its northeast side (facing towards the shore). There is no visible evidence for wooden posts, although these may be submerged underwater. This is an unusual site, heavily exposed to wind and waves and situated in quite deep water. It is possibly a house platform, but the lake-levels would need to be lower to make it habitable. It is possibly an early medieval cairn built to mark a boundary, routeway or was used as an isolated islet for keeping safe objects or prisoners (a possible iron slave-collar was found on the island). It is also interesting in that on the opposite shoreline, at Ballynakil 2 (WM007-127----), there is a quite similar small early medieval crannog. It is possible that these two sites marked a crossing-point of the lake'. (O'Sullivan et. al. 2007, 121-2) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 13 February 2017