Crannog in Cullenhugh,lough Iron

Situated on the NE shore of Lough Iron, originally located on the water prior to drainage of the Inny River in the 1960s. A dug-out canoe was discovered in close proximity to this crannóg by the local landowner shortly after the drainage scheme. Crannóg visible as a circular rise of dry ground (diam. 29m N-S; 35m NE-SW; H 0.3m) surrounded by poorly drained land with evidence of possible kerbing around the edge of the dry ground. Possible causeway (dims. Wth 3m; L 3m) entrance at NNE giving access to a second irregular shaped area of dry ground which may be the remains of a second crannóg or lakeshore habitation site. The crannóga were first identified by Joe rafter in the late 1960s when carrying out an inspection of the nearby dug-out canoe (pers. comm. Oliver Ennis). Crannóg visible on aerial photographs taken around 1973 (GSIAP N62). Described by Buckley in 1981 as following; 'Two conjoined crannógs on the Eastern shore of Lough Iron. Now on dry land but before the Inny drainage of the 1960s the site was some 20m from the shoreline. The SW crannóg rises 50cm from the surrounding marshy ground. The main crannóg is roughly oval in shape, measuring 25m N-S by 32m E-W. There is a kerb of large limestone boulders around the perimeter on every side but it is best preserved to the South, where six boulders average 1m wide by 60cm high. On the South of the crannóg, 2m in from the perimeter are the remains of house foundations of limestone blocks, set to form a rough square, 3m wide and long. The entrance to the house site appears to be from the North. To the NNE is a short causeway of limestone blocks rising 30-40cm above the marsh and 3m long and 4m wide. This connects crannóg (1) to the ancillary crannóg platform which is circular measuring 16m in diameter with smaller limestone blocks at the perimeter. Rise of c.50cm from the surrounding marsh. Both crannógs are overgrown but probing does indicate that they are constructed of hard-packed limestone rubble, overlain by habitation soil, dark hummus and a mixture of charcoal. Crannóg (1) is shown as an island on 6” sheet but parts of crannóg 2 to the NE was submerged at this time’ (ASI Field Report 26 & 28/05/1981). Listed as Cullenhugh 2 and described by O'Sullivan (2004, 107-8) as 'Located on northeast shore of Lough Iron, immediately adjacent to Cullenhugh townland and south of the outlet of the River Inny. The site lies on marshy ground, but would have originally been in shallow water, c. 20m from the shoreline. This is a crannóg complex of two conjoined cairns connected by a causeway. The main crannóg cairn (25m N-S, 32m E-W, 50cm in height) is situated to the southwest. It is an oval cairn of stone, with a kerb of large limestone boulders all around its perimeter. The kerb is best preserved to the south, where six boulders protrude above the ground. The remains of a possible stone house structure (possibly a duckhide) lies on the south side of the crannóg, 2m from perimeter. This is comprised of a limestone blocks set to form a rough square, 3m in length. It has a possible entrance located at the north side. To the NNE is a short causeway 3m in length, of limestone blocks rising 30-40cm above marshy ground. This connects the crannóg to an ancillary crannóg. This is a circular platform, 16m in diameter, with smaller limestone blocks at the perimeter, rising 50cm above surrounding land. Both crannóga are overgrown, but probing revealed that closely packed limestone rubble was overlain by habitation soil, dark humus and a mixture of charcoal'. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Aidan O'Sullivan Date of revised upload: 9 March 2017