Barrow — unclassified in Hanstown

Situated on top of a hillock, in gently undulating pasture, with extensive views to S, E and NE. Monument described as a small oval-shaped area (dims. 60m N-S; 57m E-W) enclosed by a bank (ext. H 1.2m) and external fosse visible from S-SW-W and at NE. No clear entrance feature visible. The bank has almost been reduced to a scarp, primarily due to ploughing. The ground across the bank, fosse and interior has traces of cultivation ridges running NNW-SSE which appear to have denuded the enclosing elements and interior to their present low profile state. The ground within the interior rises towards the centre where there is a wide, flat platform which is defined by a low bank which is best preserved at N, NE, SW and W. A tree-lined field boundary surrounds the base of the hillock and is not concentric with the bank or fosse. It is flanked on the exterior by a modern drain from S-W. There is a modern quarry hole at the base of the enclosing field boundary at E. Later field banks intersect the enclosing boundary at N and SW. A Preservation Order was placed on this monument on 17/08/1990 (SMR file). The classification of this monument is uncertain with the possibility that the low mound or platform in the centre is the remains of a burial mound rather than a house platform. The profile of the monument and the possibility of the presence of a ditch around the central mound may suggest that this is the remains of a barrow rather than a ringfort with central house platform. Compiled by Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien. Date of upload: 05 September 2019