What is recorded here

Priest Island is a crannog on a headland in Cloon Lough, County Mayo, marked by an oval stone cairn and a large tree that grew inside water when first mapped in 1838 but now stands on dry land. The lake has retreated or the shore has shifted since then, pulling the island from submersion into air and renaming its boundaries without notice. Aille River still passes to the east, carrying silt and memory past the headland where the cairn holds its shape. What was drowned becomes visible; what was hidden becomes a place people can walk to and touch.

On a headland in Cloon Lough with Aille River to E. Oval-shaped cairn of stone (14.2m N-S; 11.7m E-W; H 1.2m), apparently artificially constructed. Large tree grows in interior, shown surrounded by water in OS map (1838), now on dry land. The above description has been derived from D. Lavelle (compiler), An Archaeological Survey of Ballinrobe and District including Lough Mask and Lough Carra. Lough Mask and Lough Carra Tourist Development Association (1994), No. 307. Date of upload: 22 January 2013

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.