Knockfennell

2 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Knockfennell, from 9,609 m² (0.96 ha, 2.37 acres) to 756,065 m² (75.61 ha, 186.83 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 7 neighbouring parcels touch it.

Download the townland: DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings; GeoJSON or KML.

No zone of a development plan covers Knockfennell in the national zoning. Outside zoned towns and villages, the county development plan's rural policies apply to each application.

Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.

No planning application touches the townland of Knockfennell in the national file, which goes back to 2010.

Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.

Designated sites

• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Lough Gur 000437

Recorded monuments

• LI023-069001 Platform
  Description

  In wet, low-lying pasture, in the angle of two land drains, 160m SW of a townland boundary with Ballingoola. Three ring-barrows (LI023-069002-/003-/004-) are cut into the surface of a rectangular-shaped platform. Not depicted on OSi historic maps. Identified by Ó Ríordáin and MacDermott (1949, 127) as a rectangular-shaped platform on which there are three ring-barrows. This monument was described earlier by O'Kelly (1944, 48) as a 'very low rectangular platform surrounded by a very shallow fosse. The entrance is not recognisable. It measures overall 75' [22.8m] N-S by 45' [13.7m] E-W. At its S end and lying sided by side are two barrows, one oval and the other circular. These are low mounds surrounded by shallow fosses which are joined into that of the rectangle. The oval barrow is 45' [13.7m] N-S by 23' [7m] E-W while the other is 24' [7.3m] in diameter. The third one, also 24' [7.3m] in diameter, lies to the south of the oval barrow, both fosses being conjoined. The monuments are situated just beyond the edge of an extensive marsh'. Monuments are not visible on Digital Globe orthophotos taken 2011-13 and on Google Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimages and location map showing platform marked Y after Ó Ríordáin and MacDermott 1949. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 29 August 2020

• LI023-069002 Barrow - ring-barrow
  Description

  In wet, low-lying pasture, in the angle of two land drains, 160m SW of a townland boundary with Ballingoola. Three ring-barrows (LI023-069002-/003-/004-) are cut into the surface of a rectangular-shaped platform (LI023-069001-). Not depicted on OSi historic maps. Identified by Ó Ríordáin and MacDermott (1949, 127) as a rectangular-shaped platform on which there are three ring-barrows. This monument was described earlier by O'Kelly (1944, 48) as a 'very low rectangular platform surrounded by a very shallow fosse. The entrance is not recognisable. It measures overall 75' [22.8m] N-S by 45' [13.7m] E-W. At its S end and lying sided by side are two barrows, one oval and the other circular. These are low mounds surrounded by shallow fosses which are joined into that of the rectangle. The oval barrow is 45' [13.7m] N-S by 23' [7m] E-W while the other is 24' [7.3m] in diameter. The third one, also 24' [7.3m] in diameter, lies to the south of the oval barrow, both fosses being conjoined. The monuments are situated just beyond the edge of an extensive marsh'. Monuments are not visible on Digital Globe orthophotos taken 2011-13 and on Google Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimages and location map showing platform marked Y after Ó Ríordáin and MacDermott 1949. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 29 August 2020

• LI023-069003 Barrow - ring-barrow
  Description

  In wet, low-lying pasture, in the angle of two land drains, 160m SW of a townland boundary with Ballingoola. Not depicted on OSi historic maps. Identified as Site Y by Ó Ríordáin and MacDermott (1949, 127) and described as a ring-barrow cut into the surface of a rectangular-shaped platform (LI023-069001-) along with two other ring-barrows (LI023-069002-/004-). This monument was described by O'Kelly (1944, 48) as a 'very low rectangular platform surrounded by a very shallow fosse. The entrance is not recognisable. It measures overall 75' [22.8m] N-S by 45' [13.7m] E-W. At its S end and lying sided by side are two barrows, one oval and the other circular. These are low mounds surrounded by shallow fosses which are joined into that of the rectangle. The oval barrow is 45' [13.7m] N-S by 23' [7m] E-W while the other is 24' [7.3m] in diameter. The third one, also 24' [7.3m] in diameter, lies to the south of the oval barrow, both fosses being conjoined. The monuments are situated just beyond the edge of an extensive marsh'. Monuments are not visible on Digital Globe orthophotos taken 2011-13 and on Google Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimages and location map showing platform and ring-barrows marked Y after Ó Ríordáin and MacDermott 1949. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 29 August 2020

• LI023-069004 Barrow - ring-barrow
  Description

  In wet, low-lying pasture, in the angle of two land drains, 160m SW of a townland boundary with Ballingoola. Not depicted on OSi historic maps. Identified as Site Y by Ó Ríordáin and MacDermott (1949, 127) and described as a ring-barrow cut into the surface of a rectangular-shaped platform (LI023-069001-) along with two other ring-barrows (LI023-069002-/004-). This monument was described by O'Kelly (1944, 48) as a 'very low rectangular platform surrounded by a very shallow fosse. The entrance is not recognisable. It measures overall 75' [22.8m] N-S by 45' [13.7m] E-W. At its S end and lying sided by side are two barrows, one oval and the other circular. These are low mounds surrounded by shallow fosses which are joined into that of the rectangle. The oval barrow is 45' [13.7m] N-S by 23' [7m] E-W while the other is 24' [7.3m] in diameter. The third one, also 24' [7.3m] in diameter, lies to the south of the oval barrow, both fosses being conjoined. The monuments are situated just beyond the edge of an extensive marsh'. Monuments are not visible on Digital Globe orthophotos taken 2011-13 and on Google Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimages location map showing platform and ring-barrows marked Y after Ó Ríordáin and MacDermott 1949. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 29 August 2020

• LI032-013 Standing stone
  Description

  In pasture on the NW facing slope of Knockfennell Hill 650m NW of Lough Gur and on the N edge of a dense concentration of prehistoric monuments. Enclosure (LI032-183----) 270m to SE, standing stone (LI032-020----) 225m to ENE. Not indicated on OSi historic maps, but is visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 and Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. The standing stone is referred to by O’Kelly (1944, 48), where he describes it as ‘a well-shaped slab of cherty limestone, 6’ 6’’ [2m] high by 2’3’’ [0.7m] wide by 6’’ [0.15m]. The top of the standing stone has a curving edge which appears to have been fashioned. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 30 October 2020

• LI032-014001 Field system
  Description

  In rocky pasture on the summit and around Knockfennell Hill overlooking and adjacent to Lough Gur which forms the S boundary of the hill. The field system surrounds three enclosures (LI032-014006-\183\338----); two hut sites (LI032-014007/8-); a ring cairn (LI032-014009-) and a cave site (LI032-281----). The field system may be an extension of a similar relic field system (LI032-014004-) 150m to SW. Relic field boundaries that are likely to be part of the this system are also located on the E slope of Knockfennell Hill 100m NE of the Red Cellar Cave (LI032-281-). The field system is partially depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map but is later absent completely from the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map and the Cassini OSi 6-inch map. The field boundaries are visible on the OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. Identified as a relic field systems by Ó Ríordáin (1954, 458) who describes ‘cultivation terraces in the valley below Knockfennell’ and O’Kelly (1978, 27, 30) who note field systems around the ringfort (LI032-014003-), although these field systems (LI032-014004-) are recorded separately. The rectangular field system consists of a spine boundary wall curving and extending NE-SW from enclosure (LI032-014006-) across the hillside with collapsed boundaries extending off it N to the townland boundary with Grange and S to the lakeside (ext. dims. 430m NE-SW; 320m NW-SE). Two fields with evidence for spade cultivation are located immediately NE of the enclosure (LI032-014006). The field system is visible on oblique aerial photographs taken 14/07/1966 (CUCAP APC080) and on Google Earth orthoimages taken 05/04/2006; 25/03/2017; 20/03/2018 and 20/09/2020. See attached CUCAP APC080 and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 4 November 2020

• LI032-014002 Settlement platform
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Possibly lakeshore settlement platform rather than a stone circle which is depicted standing on the present N shoreline of Lough Gur on the current edition of the OS 6-inch map. This area was under the water of the lake on the first edition OS 6-inch map and no monument was indicated at this location. The water level of the lake was lowered when Lough Gur was partially drained in the late 1830s (Harkness 1869, 395). Today a small circle of low orthostats stand on reclaimed land at N side of Lough Gur. Ringfort (LI032-014003-), field system (LI032-014004-) and stone circle/ settlement platform (LI032-014005-) lie 50m to E and crannog (LI032-012----) lies 240m to W. Doubtful stone circle described in 1978 as following 'if this were ever intended as a stone circle it is a poor example. It is situated about 50m to the west of the last site and only a short distance from the lake. It is oval rather than circular, average diam. 11m. There are large spaces between the stones which are low, none of them more than 75cm in height. There is no bank' (O'Kelly and O'Kelly 1978, 42). In 1912 this site was recorded as circle 'T' and described as following; 'This is a stone circle situated not very far from Lough Gur House. Strictly speaking, it is not a circle, since its larger diameter is 44 feet [13m] and its smaller 30 feet [9m], but it is a, complete ring or oval of stones of considerable size. The compass-bearing of the long axis is 288 degrees. Though the stones of which it consists are of considerable size, they are low, none of them being more than 2 feet 6 inches [0.7m] in height' (Windle 1912, 304-5). In 1944 the monument was described as following; 'If this monument were intended as a stone circle it is a very poor one. It is oval in shape, the larger diameter being 44' [13m] and the smaller 30' [9m]. The stones are large low boulders, none of them more than 2' 6" [0.7m] high. There are large spaces between each pair and there is no supporting bank of any kind. It is situated on a piece of level ground at the S.W base of Knockfennel Hill' (O'Kelly 1944, 47). This oval-shaped setting of stones may represent the kerbing of a lakeshore settlement platform as the monument was originally located on the surface of the water in Lough Gur. It is possible that these stone settings are entirely natural with no archaeological significance, Ó Ríordáin (1949, 57) described a similar setting at the spectacles (LI032-014012-) which when excavated turned out be a natural feature of no archaeological significance. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 20 May 2018

• LI032-014003 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Situated on S facing slope or rising ground at the base of Knockfennell Hill, now standing 40m N of the NW shoreline of Lough Gur. On the first edition of the OS 6-inch map the ringfort is shown standing on the edge of the shoreline of Lough Gur. Ringfort stands on N side of Lough Gur, S of Knockfennell and to the NE of Ardaghlooda Hill. Loughgur House stands 300m to NW. Cashel (LI032-014006-) 195m to N, adjacent field system (LI032-014004-), stone circle (LI032-014005-) and possible settlement platform (LI032-014002-) 50m to W. Garret Island in the centre of Lough Gur 180m to S, with crannóg (LI032-012----) 300m to W. Ringfort described in 1833 as 'a square earthen work, and on one of its points a grass-covered cairn (LI032-014005-), composed mostly of very small stones, although some squared masses, like those on Carrig-galla, were to be seen' (Croker 1833, 111). In 1944 the D-shaped ringfort was described as 'very roughly D shaped on plan. The E side is almost straight while the W is circular. It is a platform on the edge of which there is a bank. The latter is very slight and is mainly on the N side. The fort is partly carved out of the hill slope, which is steep on the N side of it and it is only on this side that a fosse occurs. On the S there is none as here the ground falls away from the monument and a certain amount of building up had to be done to make the structure approximately level, though it still has a considerable slope to the S. The entrance is not recognisable. It is 12' [3.6m] high on the S side and the max. diam. is 81' [25m]. The fort is the central feature of a system of ancient fences [LI032-014004-] which cover the lower slopes of a hill on this side. These fences are mainly earthen and among them are discernible a number of small enclosures or huts. On the SE side of it is the arc of stones [LI032-014005-] described above' (O'Kelly 1944, 48). Described in 1978 as a 'ring-fort of platform type which has been partly scarped out of the slope of the ground. It is steepest on the north side where there is a bank and ditch and the ground falls away to the south, where a certain amount of building up had to be done. It measures 23m in average diam. It was excavated but is unpublished. The finds - ring pins, etc. implied an early Christian period date. The ringfort is at the centre of another system of ancient fields (LI032-014004-)' (O'Kelly and O'Kelly 1978, 41-2). Today the outline of the roughly D-shaped ringfort with traces of a field system to NW are clearly visible on Digital Globe aerial photograph. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 21 May 2018

• LI032-014004 Field system
  Description

  Field system attached to NW side of ringfort (LI032-014003-) which is a National monument in state ownership No. 247. Situated on S facing slope or rising ground at the base of Knockfennel Hill, now standing 40m N of the NW shoreline of Lough Gur. On the first edition of the OS 6-inch map the ringfort is shown standing on the edge of the shoreline of Lough Gur. Ringfort stands on N side of Lough Gur, S of Knockfennell and to the NE of Ardaghlooda Hill. Loughgur House stands 300m to NW. Cashel (LI032-014006-) 195m to N, adjacent field system (LI032-014004-), stone circle (LI032-014005-) and possible settlement platform (LI032-014002-) 50m to W. Garret Island in the centre of Lough Gur 180m to S, with crannóg (LI032-012----) 300m to W. In 1944 the D-shaped ringfort (LI032-014004-) with adjoining field system was described as following; 'The fort is partly carved out of the hill slope, which is steep on the N side of it and it is only on this side that a fosse occurs. On the S there is none as here the ground falls away from the monument and a certain amount of building up had to be done to make the structure approximately level, though it still has a considerable slope to the S. The entrance is not recognisable. It is 12' [3.6m] high on the S side and the max. diam. is 81' [25m]. The fort is the central feature of a system of ancient fences which cover the lower slopes of a hill on this side. These fences are mainly earthen and among them are discernible a number of small enclosures or huts. On the SE side of it is the arc of stones [LI032-014005-] described above' (O'Kelly 1944, 48). Described in 1978 as a 'ring-fort of platform type which has been partly scarped out of the slope of the ground. It is steepest on the north side where there is a bank and ditch and the ground falls away to the south, where a certain amount of building up had to be done. It measures 23m in average diam. It was excavated but is unpublished. The finds - ring pins, etc. implied an early Christian period date. The ringfort is at the centre of another system of ancient fields' (O'Kelly and O'Kelly 1978, 41-2). Today the outline of the roughly D-shaped ringfort with traces of a field system to NW are clearly visible on Digital Globe aerial photograph. No hut sites mentioned by O'Kelly are visible on the aerial photographs. Earlier OSI aerial photographs show an extensive series of linear earthworks forming small irregular shaped fields in area to NW of ringfort. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 21 May 2018

• LI032-014005 Stone circle
  Description

  Possible stone circle located 6m SE of a ringfort (LI032-014003-) which is a National monument in state ownership No. 247. Situated on S facing slope or rising ground at the base of Knockfennel Hill, now standing 40m N of the NW shoreline of Lough Gur. On the first edition of the OS 6-inch map the ringfort is shown standing on the edge of the shoreline of Lough Gur. Ringfort stands on N side of Lough Gur, S of Knockfennell and to the NE of Ardaghlooda Hill. Loughgur House stands 300m to NW. Cashel (LI032-014006-) 195m to N, adjacent field system (LI032-014004-), stone circle (LI032-014005-) and possible settlement platform (LI032-014002-) 50m to W. Garret Island in the centre of Lough Gur 180m to S, with crannóg (LI032-012----) 300m to W. In 1944 the D-shaped ringfort (LI032-014003-) with adjoining field system (LI032-014004-), and an arc of low orthostats to SE was described as following; 'The fort (LI032-014003-) is partly carved out of the hill slope, which is steep on the N side of it and it is only on this side that a fosse occurs. On the S there is none as here the ground falls away from the monument and a certain amount of building up had to be done to make the structure approximately level, though it still has a considerable slope to the S. The fort is the central feature of a system of ancient fences (LI032-014004-) which cover the lower slopes of a hill on this side. These fences are mainly earthen and among them are discernible a number of small enclosures or huts. On the SE side of it is the arc of stones described above' (O'Kelly 1944, 48). This arc of stones was described by O'Kelly (1944, 47) as following; 'An arc of 8 fairly large stones situated close to the edge of the lake at the SW base of Knockfennel Hill. If the arc were completed to form a circle its diam. would be 50' [15m] approx. Situated 21' [6m] due N of the W end of the arc is an earthen fort [LI032-014003-], so that if the arc were complete and still in existence at the time of the building of the fort, a large part of the circle would be covered by it. There is no evidence that this is so and it is quite possible that the arc is a chance formation of stones'. Today the outline of the roughly D-shaped ringfort with traces of a field system to NW are clearly visible on Digital Globe aerial photograph. The arc of stones may be visible to the SE of the ringfort as small white dots. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 21 May 2018

• LI032-014006 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  In rocky pasture on the W summit of Knockfennell Hill overlooking and adjacent to Lough Gur 200m to SE, with panoramic views in all directions. The field system (LI032-014001-) with cultivation ridges abuts and surrounds the cashel. Two enclosures (LI032-183\338----) are located 185m and 285m to NE; two hut sites (LI032-014007/8-) are located 140m to E; a ring cairn (LI032-014009-) is located 350m to ENE and a ringfort (LI032-014003-) is located 185m to S. The cashel is not depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map but is depicted on the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map as a circular embanked enclosure (int. dims. 30m N-S; 36m E-W) with an external rock cut fosse (Wth 5m) on the S side. The cashel is visible on OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. Identified as a cashel or stone fort by O’Kelly (1944, 47), Ó Ríordáin (1954, 458) and O’Kelly (1978, 27). Inspected by the ASI when it was described as ‘a broad oval flattish outcropping area (ext. dims. 44m N-S; 34m E-W) demarked by the base of a stone bank’ situated on ‘the SW end of Knockfennell Hill’. Old ‘field boundaries and ridges’ are noted to the NE. One of the later field boundaries (LI032-014001-) is located bisecting the interior of the cashel orientated E-W suggesting that the field system and cultivation ridges are later than the cashel. The cashel is visible on oblique aerial photographs (CUCAP APC080) taken 14/07/1966 and on Google Earth orthoimages taken 05/04/2006; 10/03/2016; 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. See attached Cambridge Aerial photos APC080 and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 4 November 2020

• LI032-014007 Hut site
  Description

  One of two hut sites (LI032-014008-) recorded by O’Kelly (1944, 48) as a semi-circular shaped hut site which he described as follows: ‘These hut sites [LI032-014008-] are small cirque-like [amphitheatre shaped] hollows on a slope of Knockfennell. One is semi-circular and the other sub-rectangular [LI032-014008-]. Both are open in the W while the other sides consist of natural rock mostly. The latter has been hollowed out where it was high at the back and sides, and in one case some rough walling remains around the edge of the cirque. The diameter of one is 22 ft (6.7m) while the other measures 16 ft (4.85m) by 15 ft (2.5m). The depth of the rock cutting is about 3 ft (1m). Immediately behind each is an ancient fence.’ The precise location of these two hut site has not been confirmed and remains to be identified on the ground. Compiled by: Edmond O'Donovan Date of upload: 4 November 2020

• LI032-014008 Hut site
  Description

  One of two hut sites (LI032-014007-) recorded by O’Kelly (1944, 48) as a sub-rectangular-shaped hut site which he described as follows: ‘These hut sites [LI032-014007-] are small cirque-like [amphitheatre shaped] hollows on a slope of Knockfennell. One is semi-circular [LI032-014007-] and the other sub-rectangular. Both are open in the W while the other sides consist of natural rock mostly. The latter has been hollowed out where it was high at the back and sides, and in one case some rough walling remains around the edge of the cirque. The diameter of one is 22 ft (6.7m) while the other measures 16 ft (4.85m) by 15 ft (2.5m). The depth of the rock cutting is about 3 ft (1m). Immediately behind each is an ancient fence.’ The precise location of these two hut site has not been confirmed and remains to be identified on the ground. Compiled by: Edmond O'Donovan Date of upload: 4 November 2020

• LI032-014009 Cairn - ring-cairn
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Situated on the summit of Knockfennell overlooking the N shoreline of Lough Gur 235m to S in an area with a rich concentration of prehistoric monuments. Red Cellar cave (LI032-281----) 65m to SE, stone circle (LI032-014010-) 220m to SSE, field system (LI032-014001-), hut sites (LI032-014007-/008-/) and cashel (LI032-014006-) to SW, enclosure (LI032-183----) 260m to W. Similar in size and morphology to a ring-cairn (LI032-022031-) known as 'Dun Gair' standing on the summit of Knockmore which is visible 780m to SSE. Depicted as a small circular shaped area with OD in centre marking spot height of 531 ft. OD on revised edition of the OS 6-inch map. Classified as a ring-barrow by O'Kelly (1944, 47) and described as following: 'A continuous rubble stone kerb 50' [15m] in overall diameter delineates this monument, which is situated on the highest point of Knockfennell. Its centre is a hollow bowl shape. It was excavated but the results were inconclusive, the only finds being pockets of cremated bone at various points round the kerb. There was no dating evidence. The excavation was directed by Dr. S. P. Ó Ríordáin'. The monument was described by Ó Ríordáin as a 'small cairn on hill-top' which he excavated in the 1940s (Ó Ríordáin 1954, 458). In 1978 the monument was described a ring-cairn situated on the summit of Knockfennell consisting of a ring-cairn of stones about 15m in diameter enclosing a hollow bowl shaped interior. Pockets of human bones were found amongst the orthostats (O'Kelly and O'Kelly 1978, 41). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 21 May 2018 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 161/1941).

• LI032-014010 Structure
  Description

  On the N shore of Lough Gur just above the current lake level under Knockfennell Hill. The site (LI032-014010-) is 430m NE of a ringfort (LI032-014003-); 180m S of Red Cellar Cave (LI032-281----); 220m SSE of a ring cairn (LI032-014009-) and 240m SW of a standing stone (LI032-014011-). The stone circle is not depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map nor is it illustrated on the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map. The site is shown as an antiquity on the Cassini OSi 6-inch map as ‘Stone Circle’ accompanied by a semi-circle of hachures presumably indicating an arc of curving stones (ext. dims c. 18m). The stone circle is not visible on the OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 nor on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. O’Kelly (1944, 47) doubted the existence of this site and recorded the following; 'On the map is shown an arc of stones and marked Stone Circle, lying on the shore of the lake at the base of Knockfennel. If this ever existed, it is no longer traceable. There are some short lengths of ancient fence at this point and some of them may have been mistaken for a circle'. Dowd (1896, 77) references a stone circle near the rath on the N bank of the lake. It is assumed that the rath is the ringfort (LI032-014003-) and the stone circle is the monument (LI032-014002-) 450m SW. The site may be a stone platform on the lake edge, although further investigation is required to confirm the nature of the site. The location is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 05/04/2006; 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 4 November 2020

• LI032-016 Settlement platform
  Description

  On rocky foreshore on the NNE side of Garret Island in Lough Gur. The site was discovered by Professor Frank Mitchell in 1948 and his discovery led to a subsequent archaeological/palaeo-environmental excavation in 1956 by both Mitchell and Liversage (1958, 67). The island is 150m NW of the Knockadoon peninsula where extensive archaeological excavations have uncovered significant Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeological monuments (Cleary 2019). The site is one of three prehistoric settlement sites recorded on Garret Island (LI032-016/017/019----) which can be considered as the same monument. The prehistoric settlement is located around and within a medieval castle site (LI032-018----). A causeway (LI032-021----) from the S end of the island leads SE to the adjacent shore on the Knockadoon Peninsula. The island is depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map as a circular-shaped island (ext. diam. 30m) known as Garret Island. The surface of the island was recorded 1m above the lake level in 1840 (76.8m OD). The island is later depicted as a significantly larger area (170m N-S; 65m E-W) on the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map, the lake level is recorded 1.5m lower in 1897, the lake level today remains at c. 75m OD. The excavation involved a series of cuttings. Site A (LI032-216----) was located on the old water line on the NNE side of the original circular island. Site B and a number of test pits (LI032-217---) are located on the SSE side of the circular island. The trench at Site A (6m N-S; 1m E-W) was opened near the location of the investigation carried out by Mitchell's 1948 investigation. The trench was excavated extending radially out from the edge of the large circular stone platform or island on which the castle wall is located. The finds uncovered included ‘modern bits and pieces’, animal bone, heavily patinated flint flakes, a hammer or anvil stone and fire reddened heat shattered stone. The artefacts were uncovered ‘in a peaty matrix and (were) sealed by a surface layer of peaty material. These conditions suggested a shore deposit into which occupation debris had been incorporated. Some stones from the platform had rolled down on to this layer, but the shore deposit ended at the platform without going underneath it, and so must have been washed into place after the platform was built’ (Liversage 1958,70). The circular platform on the island is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020 as open ground without tree cover. See attached site location drawing by Liversage (1958) and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 30 October 2020

• LI032-017 Settlement platform
  Description

  On rocky foreshore on the SSE side of Garret Island in Lough Gur. The site was discovered by Professor Frank Mitchell in 1948 and his discovery led to a subsequent archaeological/palaeo-environmental excavation in 1956 by both Mitchell and Liversage (1958, 67). The island is 150m NW of the Knockadoon peninsula where extensive archaeological excavations have uncovered significant Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeological monuments (Cleary 2018). The site is one of three prehistoric settlement sites recorded on Garret Island (LI032-016/017/019----) which can be considered as the same monument. The prehistoric settlement is located around and within a medieval castle site (LI032-018----). A causeway (LI032-021----) from the S end of the island leads SE to the adjacent shore on the Knockadoon Peninsula. The island is depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map as a circular island (ext. diam. 30m) known as Garret Island. The surface of the island was recorded 1m above the lake level in 1840 (76.8m OD). The island is later depicted as a significantly larger area (170m N-S; 65m E-W) on the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map, the lake level is recorded 1.5m lower in 1897, the lake level today remains at c. 75m OD. The excavation involved a series of cuttings. Site A (LI032-216----) was located on the old water line on the NNE side of the original circular island. Site B and a number of test pits (LI032-217---) are located on the SSE side of the island. The trench at Site B (6m NW-SE; 3m SW-NE) was opened and excavated extending radially out from the edge of the large circular stone platform or island on which the castle wall is located. The finds uncovered included worked and butchered animal bone, flint artefacts and flakes, a quantity of prehistoric pottery dating from the Neolithic and Bronze Age and fire reddened heat shattered stone. The artefacts were uncovered in a similar deposit sequence to that recorded at Site A (LI032-216----), although a layer of tan clay associated with a cobbled surface survived and the artefacts from this horizon were interpreted to be Neolithic and in situ. The remaining layers were disturbed by water action and there was evidence of mixing of artefacts from different periods (Liversage 1958, 70-80). Fossilised tree stumps were recorded on the buried old lake margin. A sample from a tree stump (Ref: TCD/8) yielded a radiocarbon age of 3680bc + 125 years or a calibrated C14 age of 1722BC. This dates the end use (terminal age) of the buried surface to the Bronze Age as the lake level rose. The circular platform on the island is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020 as open ground without tree cover. See attached drawings by Liversage (1958) and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 31 October 2020

• LI032-018 Castle - unclassified
  Description

  On a rocky island known as Garret Island (Geroid Island) in Lough Gur. The island is 150m NW of the Knockadoon peninsula where extensive archaeological excavations have uncovered significant Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeological monuments (Cleary 2018). The castle site is built on the highest point on the island and is surrounded by prehistoric settlement sites (LI032-016/017----) which were excavated abutting the N and SE side of the circular castle enclosure. A causeway (LI032-021----) from the S end of the island leads SE to the adjacent shore on the Knockadoon Peninsula. Prehistoric settlement remains have also been identified on the rocky foreshore around the island (LI032-019----). Garret Island is depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map as small circular shaped island (ext. diam. c. 30m) similar to a small crannóg. The surface of the island was recorded 1m above the lake level in 1840 (76.8m OD). The island is later depicted as a significantly larger area (170m N-S; 65m E-W) on the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map as a result of drainage lowering the lake level by 1.5m, the lake level today remains at c. 75m OD. The castle is first recorded as ‘Desmond Castle (in ruins)’ on the 1897 ed. OSi 1897 25-inch map and is later annotated ‘Geroid Castle’ on the OSi Cassini 6-inch map. The OSi maps do not provide a measured survey of a recognisable castle structure, although two small rectangular building (presumably domestic building) are illustrated at the centre of the island, these maybe the ‘sunken structures’ referred to by Liversage (1958, 67). Westropp (1906-7, 181) recorded the following details about this castle site; 'the lake, traces of a building, said to be a C[astle]. of Earl Garrod, whose ghost is doomed to ride over the lake once in seven years, till the silver horseshoes are worn away. Doubtful site'. Harknes (1869, 395) recorded the following details about this islands and its castle; 'Around Garrets Island, which is near the centre of the lake, and particularly towards its southern side, are to seen many upright piles, especially when the surface of the lake is low. Garret Island itself seems to be an artificial production, for the surface of it, which is only slightly elevated above that of the lake, is made up of broken fragments of rock, and these fragments are likewise seen extending from its shores into tho water of the lake. Previous to the lowering of the lake's surface, which took place about thirty years ago [c. 1839], a large part of this island was under water; the only portion at that time visible was occupied by the ruins of a small castle or tower, which had probably been built by one of the Earls of Desmond. It is doubtful whether even this portion is not an artificial production; but in consequence of the rubbish from the fallen walls of this building, the surface which supports it cannot be seen, and there are circumstances connected with it which lead to the conclusion that it is not a natural surface. At the time when the level of the lake was lowered, and the area of the island increased, the land laid bare was found to be covered with an enormous accumulation of bones. More than a hundred cart-loads of these bones were removed and sold to the dealers in such articles'. According to Lenihan (1866, 725) the island was named after 'Garret Fitzgerald, the rebel Earl of Desmond to Queen Elizabeth, is the guardian spirit of this lake. He is held there by enchantment, which will cease when the silver shoes of his horse, whom he is seen riding over the surface of the lake once every seven years, are worn out, and he will thence once more return to life.' This legend strongly resembles that of Don Sebastian, King of Portugal. There are no trout in the lake; it contains pike and roach in abundance. Not a tree or shrub occurs anywhere near the lake, except few near the Black Castle adjoining the farm, and on the small tufted islet called Garrod's Island, which is an object of deep interest, and on which are the ruins of a castle'. Liversage (1958, 67) described the castle within his prehistoric excavation report on the island in 1954. He describes the main visible feature on the island as ‘a large circular platform of stones about forty metres in diameter and one to two metres deep which has a high wall built on it’. The circular platform corresponds with the island mapped during the 1840 OSi survey. He (ibid., 67) further describes the ‘wall, which was built with mortar but has now almost entirely fallen, follows the circumference of the stone platform in a series of straight legs, and so encloses a polygon. Within the enclosure are traces of sunken rooms, and the wall contains a suggestion of an entrance and a few surviving quoin stones. However the whole structure is virtually devoid of architectural features and is terribly ruined and overgrown’. Wood-Martin (1886, 150) recorded that ‘in 1599 the crannóg of Lough Gur, county Limerick, was taken from the ‘Queen’s people’ by the Earl of Desmond, then in rebellion against Elizabeth. Sir George Carew relates that the Lord President of Munster, who reconnoitred the crannog for the purpose of its recapture in the following year, i.e. 1600, observed two small islets (the crannóga) and one large island; this latter ‘he found to be a place of exceeding strength, by reason that it was an island encompassed with a deep lough, the breadth thereof being, in the narrowest place, a caliver’s shot over. Upon one side thereof standeth a very strong castle, which at this time was manned with a good garrison, for there was within the island John Fitz Thomas with two hundred men at the least’. Carew’s account of the castle in 1600 is likely to be largely concerned with Bouchier’s Castle (LI032-022034-), although the stone mortared walled fortification on Garret Island (LI032-018----) appears to be referenced also. The circular platform on the island which forms the core of the castle remains is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020 as open ground without tree cover. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 2 November 2020

• LI032-019 Habitation site
  Description

  On Garret Island in Lough Gur and also to the S of the island on shallow reefs underwater. The island is 150m NW of the Knockadoon peninsula where extensive archaeological excavations have uncovered significant Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeological monuments (Cleary 2018). The flint artefacts were collected by Ó Ríordáin during his campaign of excavation on Knockadoon in the 1950s (1954, 459). The lithic scatter (LI032-019----) on the island is evidence for settlement dating from the Neolithic and Bronze Age. The site is one of three prehistoric settlement sites recorded on Garret Island (LI032-016/017/019----) which can be considered to be part of the same monument. Professor Frank Mitchell in 1948 identified prehistoric archaeological/palaeo-environmental deposits (LI032-016/017----) which were subsequently excavated in 1956 by both Mitchell and Liversage (1958, 67). The prehistoric settlement was recorded around a medieval castle site (LI032-018----). A causeway (LI032-021----) from the S end of the island leads SE to the adjacent shore on the Knockadoon Peninsula. The island is depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map as a circular island (ext. diam. 30m) known as Garret Island. The surface of the island was recorded 1m above the lake level in 1840 (76.8m OD). The island is later depicted as a significantly larger area (170m N-S; 65m E-W) on the OSi 1897 ed. 25-inch map, the lake level is recorded 1.5m lower in 1897, the lake level today remains at c. 75m OD. The excavations on the island by Liversage and Mitchell (1958) have demonstrated that the lake level was lower in prehistory, possibly even lower than it is today. The flint artefacts found around the island (Ó Ríordáin 1954) were recovered as stray finds and on lake bottom to the S of it (1954, 459). The island and the shallow reefs to the S of it are visible in the summer when the water level is lower and light conditions permit, see Google Earth orthoimage taken 28/06/2018. The reef is not visible on the most recent orthoimage taken 20/09/2020. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 2 November 2020

• LI032-020 Standing stone
  Description

  In pasture on the N facing slope of Knockfennell Hill 600m N of Lough Gur and on the N edge of a dense concentration of prehistoric monuments. Enclosure (LI032-183----) 305m to SSW and a standing stone (LI032-020----) is located 225m to WSW. Not indicated on OSi historic maps, and not visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 and Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. The standing stone is referred to by O’Kelly (1944, 48), where he describes it as ‘a limestone pillar of regular shape, 5’ [1.5m] high by 1’ 4’’ [0.4m] wide by 1’6’’ [0.45m]. The site is not visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 30 October 2020

• LI032-175 Crannog
  Description

  On Garretts Island in the centre of Lough Gur, which lies 55m W of Knockadoon Peninsula. Two settlement platforms (LI032-016/017---), a habitation site (LI032-019----) and a castle (LI032-018----) occupy the island with a causeway (LI032-021----) leading from the S side to Knockadoon Peninsula. The island (257ft/78m OD) is depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map as a roughly oval-shaped area (40m NE-SW; 31m NW-SE) which was 5ft/1.5m above the water level of the lake. The 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map depicts a much larger irregular-shaped island (190m N-S; 100m E-W) exposed by the lowering of water level to 247ft/75m which was 10ft/3m lower than in 1840. Identified by Professor Harkness (1869, 395) as a substantial assemblage of animal bone and some human bone and described as follows: ‘At the time when the level of the lake [Lough Gur] was lowered, and the area of the island increased, the land laid bare was found to be covered with an enormous accumulation of bones. More than a hundred cart-loads of these bones were removed and sold to the dealers in such articles. For many years subsequent to the lowering of the surface of the lake, this spot continued to be a very prolific source of bones, for during the potato famine, the poor of the town of Bruff, when the water was low, obtained a scanty livelihood by collecting and selling bones from this locality’. Harkness (ibid, 396) continues to describe the assemblage as follows: ‘The bones procured here consisted of the remains of Bos longifrons [small ox], the heads of which almost exhibited a fractured front, produced by the blow which had killed them. Bones of the pig and goat were also found, the heads of which were likewise marked by broken frontal portions. Together with these were the bones and antlers of the stag, and some skulls, jaws, and other bones of a dog of a large size, and with an elongated muzzle. These dogs seem to have belonged to a race which was the progenitor of the now extinct rough-haired Irish greyhound. A few human remains were found along with the other bones. Some of these consisted of lower jaws, generally of a large size, and a heavy outline’. Garrett Island is visible as an irregular-shaped wood covered island (250m N-S; 110m E-W) on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-2012, on Digital Globe orthoimage taken 2011-2013 and on Google Earth orthoimage taken 28/06/2018. These modern aerial orthoimages show that the island is situated 45m to W of Knockadoon Peninsula which is on the mainland, with shallow reefs visible in the water. This may be the crannóg that was described as 'the island of Loch Gair' which was built by Brian Boru (Todd 1867, 141). Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 12 November 2020

• LI032-183 Enclosure
  Description

  On Knockfennell, in improved elevated pasture, overlooking Lough Gur 360m to SE and 50m E of a townland boundary with Grange. Hut sites (LI032-014007-/008-) lie 80m to ESE and enclosure (LI032-338----) lies 90m to NE. Not depicted on OSi historic maps. Monument identified as a roughly circular-shaped cropmark by the Bruff aerial photographic survey in 1986 (Bruff 138: AP 4/3641). Monument is visible as a semi-circular-shaped cropmark (C 44m) defined by what appears to be a fosse-like depression from W-N-E which has been used as an agricultural driveline on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-2012, on Digital Globe orthoimage taken 2011-2013 and on Google Earth orthoimage taken 25/03/2017. Of doubtful antiquity. See attached Google Earth orthoimage and Bruff aerial survey image. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 12 November 2020

• LI032-281 Cave
  Description

  On the E-slope of Knockfennell Hill overlooking Lough Gur and 30m SE of the summit where a ring-cairn (LI032-014009-) is located. Excellent views to the NE, E and SW towards Knockadoon Hill which is occupied by an extensive range of prehistoric settlement sites and Lough Gur Castle (LI032-022001/37-). The cave entrance is depicted on both the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map and on the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map. In 2003 Marion Dowd undertook a a site visit but was unable to locate the cave. Dowd (2004, 534) records a box in the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) labelled ‘Box 49 Cave at Castle Hewson near Askeaton, Co. Limerick’ which contains an unpublished letter by R. J. Ussher to R. F. Scharff dated 04/05/1904. It states ‘herewith the results of three hours digging superficial deposit of Red Cellar Lough Gur. Loose dry earth. Having made a hole in it I shall probably dig there deeper on Friday the 6th as the cave is not coming to an end so far … I see nothing particular but man (finger), pig and metat[arsal/carpal] of small ruminants also leather!’. Three human bones found during this exploration survive and represent two individuals, an adult and a juvenile. An unpublished handwritten report written by A. W. Stelfox located in the NMI describes material found in the cave including a ‘metatarsal of small adult, shaft of humerus of juvenile, metatarsal of juvenile ’, bones of extinct and domestic fauna, a ‘bone handled pen’, a bone needle and clay pipe fragment. The report presumably relates to the 1904 investigation based on the correlation of identifications of the human remains. These three bones represent two individuals – an adult (foot phalanx and talus) and a juvenile (rib fragment) (Fibiger 2016, 22). The adult talus returned a Neolithic date of 4671±38 BP (Dowd 2008). The cave was excavated by S .P. Ó Ríordáin in 1938 but the results were never published. The bones recovered from this excavation are now housed in the National Museum of Ireland (Reg. No. NMINH:1938.169; drawer 309.C.1-2) and are labelled “Bones from a small fissure in the limestone known as the ‘Red Cellar’; Given by Prof S. P. O’Riordan; near Lough Gur, Co. Limerick; Excavated autumn 1938” (pers. comm. Dr. Marion Dowd 09/10/2020; NMI Correspondence from Nigel Monahan 09/10/2020). It appears that extinct faunal remains were discovered but nothing of archaeological significance. The cave was described by Cleary (2018, 6-7) as a 'narrow solution crevice on the south-facing slope of the hill. Bones of elk, Arctic lemming, brown bear and other unspecified species were recovered from the cave (O'Kelly 1941). The bones of larger animals may have been brought into the cave by scavengers such as hyenas or foxes.The bear bones were dated to the period between 12,747 and 12,247 years ago (Woodman 2015, table 2.1) and may have been the last in the sequence of animal bones from the Red Cellar Cave'. The cave entrance is visible as rough overgrown ground on the side of the Knockfennell Hill on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12; Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013; Google Earth orthoimages taken 16/03/2016 and 28/06/2018. See attached Google Street View Capture 2011 and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 10 October 2020

• LI032-338 Enclosure
  Description

  In pasture on Knockfennell Hill overlooking Lough Gur 410m to S. Enclosure (LI032-183----) 85m to SW. Not depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch or on the 1897 ed. 25-inch maps. Outline of enclosure (diam. c. 28m) bisected by relic field boundary running NW-SE visible on Google Earth orthophoto taken 25/03/2017. Faint outline visible on OSi orthophoto taken 2005-11 and on Digital Globe orthophoto taken 2011-13. See attached Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien based on details provided by Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 4 November 2020

Architectural heritage

No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands in the townland of Knockfennell.

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Radon

About 1 in 5 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

Susceptibility high, moderately high, moderately low, low, low (inferred), on the 1:50,000 map; parts are water.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Knockfennell.

Flooding

The flood maps of the Office of Public Works: floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency; Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland; both CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

No address of the register names Knockfennell with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Limerick.

Name

Knockfennell · Cnoc Finéil

Area

954,047 m² (95.4 ha, 235.75 acres)

Civil parish

Monasteranenagh, and its townlands

Barony

Smallcounty

Electoral division

Grange, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Grange electoral division: 553 people in 195 households; 92% of households own their home; 26% of homes were built since 2001; 6% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Ballingoola, Ballynagallagh, Grange, Loughgur

Placenames

Knockfennell on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. Census 2022, Small Area Population Statistics by electoral division, Central Statistics Office, CC BY 4.0. A townland is the smallest land division of Ireland, and the unit of a rural address; old registers such as the 1901 and 1911 censuses file it under its civil parish and barony.