Loughgur

203 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Loughgur, from 2 m² to 527,453 m² (52.75 ha, 130.34 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 41 neighbouring parcels touch it.

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

No zone of a development plan covers Loughgur 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.

• 13 May 2026Conditional

  demolition of the single storey extension to the front of the original dwelling house, the construction of a new single storey extension in it’s place and right hand side of it, the external insulation of extension to left hand side, replacement of external windows and doors throughout entire dwelling, new entrance gates to existing entrance and all other site works above and below ground

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 2660539

• 1 Aug 2025Conditional

  the construction of a 98 panel Solar PV ground mounted array ( 196 sq m) for use ancillary to existing farm together with all associated site works

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 2560753

• 18 Jul 2024Conditional

  a vehicular entrance off an existing passage way, the construction and renovation of an extension to existing dwelling house, installation of a new upgraded domestic waste water treatment system with polishing filter; together with all associated site works

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 2460721

• 22 Mar 2024Conditional

  the construction of a two- storey extension to front of existing dwelling house together with all associated site works

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 2460248

• 3 Nov 2023Conditional

  a change of extension design from that previously granted under planning reference 23/308 and all associated site works

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 23526

• 9 Jun 2023Conditional

  the construction of an extension to their dwelling house, construction of a domestic garage and all associated site works

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 23308

• 26 Jan 2022Conditional

  the construction of a vehicular entrance, dwelling house, domestic waste water treatment system with polishing filter together with all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 2273

• 6 Apr 2020Conditional

  an extension to the front and side of existing cottage to include upgrade of entrance, wastewater treatment system and associated development works

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 20288

• 15 Oct 2019Conditional

  revised plans from those previously granted under planning application ref. 18/918. The revisions comprising alterations to roof materials and windows of the approved extensions to the Protected Structure Ref. No. 561 and is in an Architectural Conservation Area

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 191022

• 22 Aug 2019Conditional

  existing bungalow and associated works as constructed

  Retention, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 19833

• 10 May 2019Conditional

  construction of an independent living unit extension to the dwelling house and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 19467

• 25 Mar 2019Conditional

  reinstating & using existing private roadway as a permanent roadway, new permanent entrance off private roadway, renovation of and extension to existing dwelling house, renovation of existing shed, domestic wastewater treatment system with polishing filter and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 19274

• 8 Feb 2019Conditional

  a replacement two storey dwelling to include demolition of existing cottage, upgrade of existing vehicular entrance, installation of wastewater treatment, erection of garage and associated development works

  Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 19104

• 20 Sept 2018Conditional

  revised plans to the previously granted planning application ref. 17/905 comprising the relocation of the Pool House and minor alterations to internal layout in order to reduce the physical impact of the works on the fabric of the Protected Structure. Lake view house is a Protected Structure 561 and is in an Architectural Conservation Area

  Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 18918

• 6 Apr 2018Conditional

  the construction of a single storey dwelling house, detached domestic garage and an entrance, installation of a septic tank and percolation area and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 18331

• 15 Dec 2017N/a

  construction of a Solstice Park at Lough Gur Visitors Centre and the development of a shared road space extending from the Visitors Centre to the junction of the R512 / L1500 (O'Riordan's Pub)

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 178018

• 29 Sept 2017Conditional

  the restoration and repair to existing buildings, the construction of extensions to existing buildings, the upgrading and reinstatement (in part) of the original road and entrance to dwelling, and associated landscaping and car parking, with septic tanks, wastewater treatment unit, polishing filters and all other ancillary site works. Lake View House is a protected structure B32 (48) and is in an Architectural Conservation Area

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 17905

• 25 May 2017Conditional

  alterations to existing single storey cottage, the construction of a new two storey extension to the rear of existing cottage, the construction of a new garage structure, a Extension of Permission (new vehicular entrance and the installation of a new sewerage treatment system with associated percolation area (the site is located within the Lough Gur Landscape Character Area but is outside the Special Development Control Area and Scenic View and Prospect Area)

  Extension of duration · Limerick County Council, 177024

• 13 Jan 2017Conditional

  carry out alterations/renovation of existing dwelling house and construct a granny flat extension to same including all associated site works and services

  Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 1716

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

• LI032-014011 Standing stone
  Description

  On the NE shore of Lough Gur at the current lake level, 305m SE of the summit of Knockfennell Hill. Located 50m SSW of Pollavaddra (a natural cave); 245m NE of a possible stone circle site ( LI032-014010-); 700m NE of a ringfort (LI032-014003-); 215m SE of Red Cellar Cave (LI032-281----) and 300m SE of a ring cairn (LI032-014009-). The standing stone is not depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map, and not depicted on the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map or on the Cassini ed. OSi 6-inch map. The standing stone is not distinguishable from the rocky shore of the lake on the OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 nor on the Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. O’Kelly (1944, 29) described the site as, 'a well weathered limestone slab 3ft 9 inches high (1.14m) and 2 ft 2 inches (0.66m) by 1ft 4 inches (0.4m) at the base. The socket in which it stands has been packed with small boulders. Grogan (1989, Vol. 2, 271) identified the site as ‘’Lough Gur 9’. The standing stone is not clearly 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: 6 November 2020

• LI032-014012 Settlement cluster
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Deserted settlement cluster excavated by S. P. Ó Ríordáin who dated the site to the early Christian period. Marked on the OS map as the 'Spectacles' the site is located on the E side of Lough Gur in an area of rock outcrop marked on the OS 6-inch map as 'Drumlaegh'. Bolin Island (LI032-027---) on Lough Gur lies 220m to the S, standing stone (LI032-014011-) 160m to the WSW, the E shoreline of Lough Gur now lies 50m to the W. Prior to excavation the site was described by Ó Ríordáin as following; 'The circular hut showed clearly before excavation and drew our attention to the site. So also did the ancient field fences which bounded the small field in which the hut stood, and in the second next field to the south the higher stones of the walls of the rectangular hut (D) could be seen. These dwelling sites are on a shelf of land (about 100 yards long, north to south, by 35 yards wide) which slopes slightly towards the lake to the west. It is bounded on the east by a rock face which rises to the hill side above, while on the west the rock drops almost vertically to the road bordering the lake' (Ó Ríordáin 1949, 58). Settlement site described by O'Kelly (1944, 29) as following; 'Called The Spectacles on the O.S. map. The name arose because there was one circular hut and what appeared from surface indications to be another, side by side. Excavation showed that one of the circles marked was just a chance arrangement of out-cropping rocks. The other was a well built structure, the wall base being constructed of two stone facings with a rubble filling between. The entrance was on the W side and from it a paved causeway ran to the edge of the little plateau on which the hut stands. Divided off from this by ancient field walls were two other huts, one of which was oval and constructed of posts, the other being rectangular and of stone. The finds indicated a date in the Early Christian Period, but the occupation may have gone on for a considerable time'. Described in 1978 as a group of three huts, an animal shelter and associated field system were uncovered when the site was excavated. These excavated features were described as following; 'House A. This was approximately circular with an internal diam. of 4.5m and a wall about a metre thick. Postholes inside and outside the wall suggested that the upper part of the house was of mud or turves and that the thatched roof was borne on the posts rather than on the walls. The doorway had a protecting porch outside it and a paved path led from it to a series of rough steps at the plateau edge leading to the lake. There were two hearths within the house. Beyond the field wall adjacent to House A, were two further structures, House B, oval in plan and marked mainly by postholes, and House C, a long narrow structure, probably an animal shelter. In the next ancient field to the south was House D, rectangular in plan and measuring 4m by 3.6m internally. Between House D and the western edge of the plateau there were fragmentary remains of other structures, perhaps animal shelters also. The finds are similar to those from the Carraig Aille forts and houses - fragments of bronze ring-pins, iron knives, bone combs, spindle whorls, whetstones, jet bracelets, glass beads, querns, etc. On the evidence of these, the excavator (Ó Ríordáin 1949, 57-62) suggested that the period of occupation was probably the same as for the Carraig Aille sites, that is, 8th to 10th or possibly 11th century AD.' (O'Kelly and O'Kelly 1978, 39-40). This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 164/1941). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 21 May 2018

• LI032-014013 Pit-burial
  Description

  On former rocky pasture 23m NE of the NE shore of Lough Gur beside a 19th century cart track that led to the top of a limekiln. The cart track is 11m NE and parallel to the modern shore-side road. The Food Vessel Burial was located 35m NW of the Lough Gur Visitor’s Centre 1m down slope (SW) from the trackway. The trackway has since been upgraded into the access way to the visitors centre. The site is located within an area of dense archaeological activity dating from the Neolithic up to the present day around Lough Gur (Cleary 2018). The Early Medieval settlement site known as the ‘Spectacles’ at Drumlaegh (LI032-014012-) is located 80m to NNW; a crannóg known as Bolin Island (LI032-027----) located 140m to SW; a Middle Bronze Age house site (LI032-014014-) excavated as part of the same campaign of archaeological excavations that uncovered the Food Vessel Burial was excavated 40m to SE and a ring cairn on the summit of Knockfennell Hill (LI032-014009-) lies 500m to NW. The Bronze Age burial was discovered during excavations carried out in advance of the construction of the Lough Gur Visitors Centre access path in 1977-8. The burial site was not depicted on historic OSi maps prior to its discovery. The modern access path is visible on OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on the Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. Rose Cleary (1982, 7-8) describes the site as follows: ‘During the cutting of Trench 3 a charcoal stained layer was uncovered beneath the modern horizon. This in turn overlay the remains of a flat-bottomed pit which had a maximum diameter of 25cms. The pit contained minute fragments of bone and Food Vessel pottery. Trench 3 was then extended in a south-westerly direction to see if the charcoal flecked layer contained any further evidence of Food Vessel burial or occupation. The layer however petered out within a metre.’ The bone from the burial pit was identified as cremated human bone, although it was too fragmentary to identify the age or sex of the individual. The location spot of the burial is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 05/04/2006; 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. See attached Google Earth orthoimages and site plan taken from Cleary 1982 Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 6 November 2020

• LI032-014014 Hut site
  Description

  On former rocky pasture 40m NE of the NE shore of Lough Gur at the site of the Lough Gur Visitor’s Centre buildings. The prehistoric house site was discovered during archaeological excavations in advance of the construction of the visitors centre 10m N of a limekiln. The site is located within an area of dense archaeological activity dating from the Neolithic up to the present day around Lough Gur (Cleary 2018). The Early Medieval settlement site known as the ‘Spectacles’ at Drumlaegh (LI032-014012-) is located 110m to NNW; a crannóg known as Bolin Island (LI032-027----) lies 140m to SW; a Food Vessel Burial (LI032-014013-) excavated as part of the same campaign of archaeological excavations that uncovered the Bronze Age hut site was excavated 40m to NW and a ring cairn on the summit of Knockfennell Hill (LI032-014009-) is located 530m to WNW. The Bronze Age hut site was not depicted on historic OSi maps prior to its discovery. The visitors centre is visible on OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on the Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. Rose Cleary (1982 3-6; 2018, 177-8) described the hut site as follows: ‘An arc of post-holes that held vertical structural posts was recorded the northern side of the building and defined part of the perimeter. The estimated diameter was c. 8.5m. Posts in these positions may have been an inner circular setting of roof supports for a low pitched roof which extended to a low wall; the vestiges of this wall (outer) were marked by a second arc of post-holes set a distance of 3m from and concentric with the inner arc. If the outer arc marked the external wall then the estimated overall diameter of the house was c. 13.5m. …… An internal hearth was also recorded.’ Pottery recovered from the post-holes was classified as Class II Bronze Age flat bottomed vessels; a date of c. 1600-1400BC was suggested. Burnt animal bone was also recovered from the excavated levels associated with the prehistoric hut site. The location spot for the house is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 05/04/2006; 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. See attached Google Earth orthoimages and site location map taken from Cleary 1982 Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 6 November 2020

• LI032-021 Causeway
  Description

  On the S and SE side of Garret Island in Lough Gur 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). Prehistoric settlement is present on the island (LI032-016/017/019----). The archaeological features (LI032-021----) were recorded by archaeologists and antiquarians working around the lake (Harkness 1869, 395-6, O’Kelly 1944, 28; Ó Ríordáin 1954, 459). 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 and that the current foreshore was the location of a Bronze Age forest that was submerged. Harkness (1869, 396) records that a substantial quantity of animal bone (incl. a small quantity of human bone) was left exposed on the old lake bed around the island after the lake was drained in the mid-19th century. The finds collected from the newly exposed foreshore included stone axes, bone pins and other artefacts. Harkness (1869, 395) also refers upright timber piles forming a causeway to the island from Knockadoon. It is possible that the timber piles in the lake referred to by Harkness are the remains of prehistoric tree stumps on the shallow lake bed SE of the island, such as those revealed by archaeological excavations (LI032-217----) preserved in the silt, mud and lakewater (Liversage 1958, 69). Ó Ríordáin (1954, 459) refers to a dugout canoe on the lake bed between the SE end of the island and peninsula, he also makes passing reference to ‘timber piles…near the Knockadoon shore’. 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 water level is shallow enough to see the geological fissures in the rock on this image. 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

• LI032-022001 Field system
  Description

  In rocky pasture on Knockadoon Peninsula. A field system and fragments of enclosures survives in a narrow N-S valley or ravine (dims. L. 600m; Wth. 50m) that separates Back Hill on the W of the peninsula from Knockmore on the E. The field systems are located to the E of a large Neolithic and Bronze Age habitation site on the W end of the Knockadoon Peninsula excavated during a campaign of archaeological excavations over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin (1954; Grogan and Eogan 1987). The S edge of the known extent of the field system lies 70m E of Circle J (LI032-022020-). The field banks can be traced from this point N within the narrow valley or ravine 25m E of Carrignagolur where rectangular enclosures (ext. dims. 64m N-S; 21m E-W and 26m N-S; 19m E-W) and potential rectangular house platforms (LI032-022023-/022024-) are located. The field system widens at the NW to enclose Site 11 (LI032-022019-) and also extends NE around a cist burial excavated in 1985-8 (LI032-315----). The field system is not depicted on any edition of the OSi maps. Elements of field system are visible on the OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. Identified as a relic field systems (Site 13) by Ó Ríordáin (1954, 459) who described the site as; ‘small kerbed platforms (probably habitation sites) and terracing’. Later, the field system is illustrated in significantly greater detail (Cleary 2003, Fig.2, 99) where the old field boundaries are categorised into ‘stone rows; stone and earthen banks; double stone rows with earthen infills; sunken trackways and ‘modern’ field boundaries’. It is clear that the fragmentary remains of field systems as categorised are not necessarily contemporary and may date separately from the prehistoric, medieval and post-medieval periods. The field system is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 16/03/2016; 25/03/2017 and 28/06/2018. See Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 11 November 2020

• LI032-022002 Enclosure
  Description

  In rocky pasture on a NW-facing slope of Knockadoon Peninsula, 25m E of and overlooking Lough Gur. The site was formerly on the lake edge prior to drainage in the 19th century. The semi-circular enclosure known as ‘Seeaghanmnatee’ was recorded by Professor M. J. O’Kelly (1944, 26). Knockadoon Peninsula has been the focus of many archaeological excavations that have revealed extensive Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement (Ó Ríordáin 1954 and Cleary 2018). Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site G (LI032-022005-) were located c. 50m to E. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site F (LI032-022004-) were located c. 40m to SE. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site 10 (LI032-022003-) were located c. 100m to S. Prehistoric settlement (LI032-016/017/019/021----) was also discovered on and around Garret Island c. 120m to NW. Many other archaeological sites are located on the peninsula, including Circle K (LI032-022028-) located 140m to ENE. The enclosure site (LI032-022002-) is not depicted on 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map, it is depicted on the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map as a small scarped oval-shaped mound (ext. dims. 15m) annotated ‘Seeaghanmnatee’. The site is visible as an earthwork on the OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on the Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013 as a semi-circular curving enclosure open to the lake. The site was described by O’Kelly (1944, 26) as ‘Seaghanmnatee’, consisting of a ‘semi-circular arc composed of two concentric lines of stones with a rubble filling between. The diameter is about 27m. It is built around the edge of an amphitheatre-like hollow and does not seem to have been a complete circle at any time.’ O’Kelly notes that there are several other similar ‘arcs’ on the hill. The old lake shore edge is clear (orientated NE-SW) running through the site. The site is visible as an earthwork on the old lake shore on Google Earth orthoimages taken 05/04/2006; 25/03/2017 and 20/09/2020. See attached Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 9 November 2020

• LI032-022003 Enclosure
  Description

  In rocky pasture on a naturally level platform on the SW slope of the Knockadoon Peninsula, 50m NE of and overlooking Lough Gur. The Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement site (Site 10) was excavated in 1954 during a campaign of archaeological excavations over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Lough Gur (Grogan and Eogan 1987, 437-62). The site is located within an area of dense archaeological activity dating principally from the Neolithic and Bronze Age up to the present day around the lake (Cleary 2018). Further Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements are located adjacent to the site. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site B (LI032-022009-) were located c. 80m ESE. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site H (LI032-022006-) were located c. 50m ENE. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site F (LI032-022004-) were located c. 55m NNE. Many other archaeological sites are located on the peninsula, including Circle K (LI032-022028-) located 175m to NE. The enclosure site (LI032-022003-/Site 10) is not depicted on historic OSi maps. Curving stone enclosure wall footings are visible on OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. The site was published posthumously by Eoin Grogan and Professor George Eogan (1987, 437-62). Site 10 is an enclosed habitation site dating from the late Neolithic (Beaker period). Initially it was an open settlement associated with a poorly defined house. In the second phase the site was protected by a double-kerbed wall which cut off the habitation from the rest of the peninsula. The enclosure produced an assemblage of Beaker pottery, but activity represented by a small quantity of Food Vessel pottery suggested continued occupation into the Early Bronze Age. The habitation platform (ext. dims. 34m NE-SW; 20m NW-SE) is bounded on the E and W sides by outcrops of limestone. To the SW the ground falls away in a series of broad geological steps to the lake shore. Before excavation a double-kerbed wall was visible running across the N side of the site between the outcropping rock. Excavation concentrated on the S and E sides of the main platform. In addition a short length of wall bounding the E side of a lower platform to the S was exposed and two trial trenches were opened to the S of the site but produced no evidence of activity. The most recent aerial photographs show that the site was enclosed on at least three sides and only the S edge, which faces the lake, is without a wall. Finds included a large collection of flint tools, arrowheads, stone axes, bone and stone perforated discs and beads and a large collection of diagnostic Neolithic and Early Bronze Age pottery. The surviving enclosure bank with its double sided orthostatic wall is visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 28/06/2018. To see a 3D model of this monument, visit: https://skfb.ly/osqZR See attached Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 6 November 2020

• LI032-022004 House - Neolithic
  Description

  In rocky pasture under and adjacent to a low rock cliff on the W-facing slope of Knockadoon Peninsula, 80m W of and overlooking Lough Gur. The Neolithic settlement, Bronze Age Smithy and Early Medieval settlement was discovered (Site F) during a campaign of archaeological excavations over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Lough Gur (1954, 415-28). The site is located within an area of dense archaeological activity dating principally from the Neolithic and Bronze Age up to the present day around the lake (Cleary 2018). A semi-circular enclosure known as Seeaghanmnatee (LI032-022002-) is located 45m to NW of Site F. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site G (LI032-022005-) are located c. 50m to NNE. A circular enclosure (LI032-022007-) is located on the terrace above the rock cliff 45m to NE. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site 10 (LI032-022003-) are located c. 60m to SSW. Many other archaeological sites are located on the peninsula, including Circle K (LI032-022028-) located 130m to NE. The archaeological site (LI032-022004- Site F) is not depicted on historic OSi maps. The wall defining the excavated structure is visible on OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. Ó Ríordáin (1954, 415-25) described Site F as follows: ‘near the W end of Knockadoon at the upper edge of a slope which falls towards the lakeshore about 73m distant. The site is at the foot of a bare rock face about 1.82m in height, above which the ground again rises gradually towards the centre of Knockadoon. Before excavation the house showed as an approximately rectangular outline (int. dims. 8.23m N-S; 6.4m E-W) defined by a bank from which stones protruded in places. The E side of the house was defined by the rock-face which clearly served as one of its walls. Excavation showed the outline of the house to be more irregular than was apparent from surface indications. The N and S walls curved slightly inwards near the rock-face, this curve being much more pronounced in the S wall. The walls were everywhere of poor construction. The underlying rock had a very irregular surface and no attempt had been made by the wall builders to level this or to place the wall-stones firmly on the rock. Almost everywhere under the wall there was a layer (D 0.1-0.15m) of rubble and bones. The method of building consisted essentially of piling stones together and only occasionally did these appear to be placed in such a way as to suggest any attempt at a facing. Natural bosses of rock were utilised as part of the wall when these were in suitable positions. In places there was a layer of compact yellow clay over the bed-rock, but clay had not been utilised as packing between the stones and the only material which remained in the spaces between them was rubble and humus. Because of the irregular surface of the limestone it was sometimes difficult to distinguish between artificially constructed post-holes and natural holes which may or may not have been utilised to take uprights. On the plan, only those of which we felt reasonably definite have been marked and these are mainly near the wall or set in it. A large hole (diam. 0.53m; D 0.25m) at the middle of the line of rock-face was probably deliberately cut, at least in part, and would have served to carry a large post, a companion for which would have stood in the similar but slightly smaller hole (diam. 0.30m; D 0.15m) which was NE of the middle of the west wall. The number of post-holes found is insufficient for the posts that would be required to carry a structure of this size and others were presumably set directly on the rock or in natural crevices in its surface. The poor quality construction of the walls made it unlikely that these could have been built to a sufficient height and it is likely that they served as footings only, more perishable material being used to complete the walls in the manner suggested for other sites (A, D-House I, E). As there was no trace of a wall construction on the E side of the house, the roof on this side must have rested on the rock shelf. Within the house the rock was covered in some parts by a layer of humus only; in other parts, where the rock surface dipped (especially towards the W wall) a layer of rubble lay between the humus and the rock surface. Hearths were found at two places within the house and at one under the wall. At the centre of the house a hearth was marked by a spread of charcoal. A second hearth occurred S of the hollow in the NE quadrant, and was marked by a spread of charcoal and a setting of small stones to level the surface. The entrance to the house was at the N end of the W wall, where there was a gap about 2.44m wide between the end of this wall and the N wall of the house. On the S side of this gap was a post-hole in the wall.’ A relic field-bank orientated NW-SE runs down the slope towards the lake from the W end of the N wall of the house. Parallel to this c. 70m N is a second roughly parallel field bank; the two enclose a field which were completed by the rock outcrop on the E and by the old lake edge to the NW. Ó Ríordáin suggested that the field boundaries at the site are Early Medieval in date. He suggested that the house structure may be Bronze Age but could not be certain and remained open to the possibility that the structure was Bronze Age based on the discovery of course flat bottomed Class II pottery. The artefacts recovered from the excavations at Site F range in date from a small number of Neolithic objects through to finds from the Early Medieval Period. A large collection of Middle Bronze Age (1500-1000 BC) clay casting moulds were recovered from under the field boundary indicating bronze smithing at the site. The wall foundations of the house structure and field boundaries are visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 07/05/2006; 16/03/2016 and 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 9 November 2020

• LI032-022005 House - Bronze Age
  Description

  In rocky pasture under and adjacent to a low rock cliff on the W-facing slope of Knockadoon Peninsula, 176m SE and overlooking Garrett Island on Lough Gur. A Bronze Age settlement was discovered (Site G) during a campaign of archaeological excavations over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Lough Gur (1954, 426-28). The site is located within an area of dense archaeological activity dating principally from the Neolithic and Bronze Age up to the present day around the lake (Cleary 2018). A semi-circular enclosure known as ‘Seeaghanmnatee’ (LI032-022002-) is located 55m W of Site G. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site F (LI032-022004-) are located c. 50m to SW. A circular enclosure (LI032-022007-) is located on the terrace immediately above the hut site on the rock cliff that defines the E wall of the hut. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site 10 (LI032-022003-) are located c. 120m to SW. Many other archaeological sites are located on the peninsula, including Circle K (LI032-022028-) located 80m to E. The archaeological site (LI032-022005- Site G) is not depicted on historic OSi maps. The walls defining the excavated structure are not visible on OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 or on the Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013, however a field boundary that is located to the NW of the site is visible on both. Ó Ríordáin (1954, 426-28) described Site G as follows: ‘to the N of Site F, was similarly placed against an upright rock-face which formed the E wall of the structure. It was also similar to Site F in the construction of the wall, which was made by piling large and small stones together with no regularity. The wall was irregularly semi-circular in outline, the diameter (along the rock-face) being about 3.35m inside the wall, while the internal E-W measurement was about 2.44m. The enclosed space was, therefore, small and the structure was probably a hut, roughly constructed and occupied as a shelter for a brief period. The cliff which formed the E wall of the hut rose almost vertically at first to a height of 0.31m and then above a shelf to a further 1.52m. At the foot of the rock face the rock was lightly covered (D. usual depth 0.28-78m) with humus and some stone broken fragments from the rock surface or scree fallen from above. To the W, where the rock dipped, the depth of humus and stones was greater, and between it and the rock surface was a layer of clay and gravel, the upper surface of which, within the hut, had the appearance of having been trampled and evidently represented the floor of the hut during occupation. In the E portion the floor must have been the bare rock surface. The ends of the wall did not reach the rock face at either side. This may have been due to the fact that the wall-ends were not preserved because of the slip of stones on the rock surface. The entrance (Wth. 0.91m) was at the N between two large stones. The stone at the W side of the entrance had a flat base and pointed top. The base was propped on small stones to bring it level. The stone on the E side was a large block, one straight side of which lay along the line of the entrance. Of the post-holes found, five had been cut in the rock to depths (D. 0.1-0.23m). The shallowest was the rectangular one at the middle of the rock-face. Above this on the face of the rock was a rough vertical niche which may have been in part artificially cut and which would have served to hold the post here in position. A post-hole inside the wall on the W was sunk 0.15m in the clay and gravel layer and contained stone packing on its E side. The wall was between 0.31-0.61m high, the larger stones were sometimes, as in the case of the large one at the W side of the entrance, placed on or close to the hard clay and gravel layer. Elsewhere, rubble, clay and humus were built up to form the base of the wall and on this the larger stones were placed. Pockets of loose humus in the interstices of the stones of the wall may be natural accumulation, but may also be partly due to the use of turf to pack the loose stones. Bones and charcoal were found in the wall; these were obviously introduced with the building material, but there was no continuous habitation layer under the wall such as would suggest an earlier occupation of the site (as on Site F).’ The remains of a hut or roughly built shelter were uncovered at Site G. The walls could not have been continued to any great height, but, as on other sites dealt with, provided footings for the walls of a structure supported by wooden posts. The pottery sherds found at the site (Class II, flat bottomed pots) suggest a Late Bronze Age date for the structure (Cleary 2018, 187). The site of the excavation is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 07/05/2006; 16/03/2016 and 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 9 November 2020

• LI032-022006 House - Neolithic
  Description

  In rocky pasture on the S-facing slope of the Knockadoon Peninsula, 100m N and overlooking Lough Gur. The Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement site (Site H) was discovered during a campaign of archaeological excavation over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Lough Gur (1954, 429-35). The site is located within an area of dense archaeological activity dating principally from the Neolithic and Bronze Age up to the present day around the lake (Cleary 2018). Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site B (LI032-022009-) are located c. 35m to SE. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site 10 (LI032-022003-) are located c. 45m to SW. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site A (LI032-022010-) are located c. 65m to ESE. Many other archaeological sites are located on the peninsula, including Circle K (LI032-022028-) located 135m to NE. The settlement remains (LI032-022006- Site H) are not depicted on historic OSi maps. The site of the excavation is not visible on OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 nor on the Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. Ó Ríordáin (1954, 429-35) described the site as follows: ‘Site H was situated on the S slope of Knockadoon to the W of Site A (LI032-022010-) where the ground levelled out. The hill sloped gradually upwards to the N of the site. Before excavation the tops of some stones showed and seemed to indicate the N wall and short portions of the E and W walls of a small hut. No stones appeared at the S. The excavation proved rather unsatisfactory due to the jumbled mass of walls, paving and fallen stone, which are common features in the upper levels of the Knockadoon sites and amongst which it is frequently impossible to distinguish satisfactory house plans. In the case of Site H the evidence was particularly confusing. In the NE quadrant on removal of the turf a mass of stones was revealed. It was impossible to determine the line of the wall in this quadrant and the suggestion given on the plan is only tentative. The wall of the hut was recognisable on the W and NW and a portion remained in the SE quadrant. Various post-holes were revealed, two of these (in the NW quadrant) were associated with this latest structure; others underlay wall-stones and clearly belonged to the early phase. A section of paving was noted outside and under the wall-stones at the NW. Some pottery of Class II (Late Bronze Age) type came from above this paving and amongst the paving stones. A few sherds of Beaker (Early Bronze Age) also came from a high level. These sections of wall and paving rested on an accumulation of clay containing pottery, bones and other signs of habitation - denoting the earliest period of occupation on the site. At this first stage habitation took place on a fairly level surface, provided in part by the exposed rock and in part by the hard trampled yellow clay. A hearth containing much charcoal and burnt material was found in a natural hollow in the rock and also belongs to this first phase. As already stated most of the post holes must have held posts to support a building at this period and walls of stone may also have existed, but would have been destroyed by subsequent building. Other post-holes which appear in the plan could not definitely be assigned to any particular period and no final house plan was forthcoming. A considerable amount of pottery type- mainly heavy dark Class II, but also some ware of Class I type (Neolithic) was found on the rock surface and was obviously related to the first phase in the habitation. A fragment of human skull was found at this level with pottery in the NW quadrant. Owing to labour scarcity and to other difficulties which prevailed at the time of the excavation it was impracticable to uncover a larger area of ground in the hope of more complete house-plans. In view of the small area excavated all that can be stated about Site H is that here we have signs of habitation beginning at a stage when Class I pottery was already rare and when Class II was abundant, associated with timber buildings, and continuing at least until the introduction of Beaker (Early Bronze Age). The final occupation of the site that associated with the upper stone walls was probably not later than Beaker times, since the only later objects found on the site were three fragments of iron which came from a high level in the humus and are obviously intrusive.’ The site was reassessed by Rose Cleary (Cleary 2018, 187) where she identified the ‘difficulties when drawing interpretative plans, as the site was multi-period and included Neolithic, Grooved Ware, Beaker and sherds of pygmy cups, which are more usually associated with early Bronze Age burials’. She further identified ‘Class II pottery’ which she dated to the Late Bronze Age. An extensive collection of Neolithic and Bronze Age pottery was recovered from the site including flint and bone artefacts, these were found with post-holes and wall foundations. It is clear that the excavator felt that additional archaeological excavation was required at the site before committing to a definitive interpretation on the excavated remains, however the discoveries are consistent with Late Neolithic / Bronze Age domestic settlement (c. 2500-1000 BC). The site is not visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 28/06/2018. The exact location of the site has been estimated on the basis of reconciling the original site location drawing (Ó Ríordáin 1954, Plate XII) with modern aerial photographs and is not considered highly accurate. See attached Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 9 November 2020

• LI032-022007 Enclosure
  Description

  On rocky pasture on the W-facing slope on a terrace above a low rock cliff on Knockadoon Peninsula, 100m E and overlooking Lough Gur and Garret Island. The cliff-edge enclosure (Site 12) lies within a complex Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement that was discovered during a campaign of archaeological excavation over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Lough Gur (1954 and Cleary 2018). Archaeological excavations were conducted by Ó Ríordáin at Site G (LI032-022005-) immediately below the enclosure under the cliff face. Archaeological excavations were conducted by Ó Ríordáin at Site H (LI032-022006-) located c. 85m to SSW. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site 10 (LI032-022003-) are located 105m to SW. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site A (LI032-022010-) are located 120m to SE. Many other archaeological sites are located on the peninsula, including Circle K (LI032-022028-) located 60m to NE. The site is not depicted on historic OSi maps but is visible on both the OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 as an oval-shaped cliff-edge enclosure (ext. dims. c. 26.5m N-S; 24m E-W) surrounded by a stone covered earthen bank. It is also visible on Digital Globe orthophoto taken 2011-2013, where a potential circular hut site (ext. diam. 6.5m) is located abutting the inner E enclosure wall. Outline of cliff-edge enclosure visible on oblique aerial photographs taken 14/07/1966 (CUCAP APC089) and taken 20/07/1968 (CUCAP AVT015-017). The W side of the enclosure is defined by the rocky ledge overhanging Site G (LI032-022005-). The site (LI032-022007-), excavated by Ó Ríordáin in 1954, appears to be Site 12 which was never written up by Ó Ríordáin because of his untimely death. The surviving archaeological archive records of Site 12 are scant. Dr Eoin Grogan and Professor George Eogan (1987, 562) described Site 12 ‘as a roughly D-shaped enclosure on the W side of Knockadoon E of and above Site G. No plans or sections of this site survive.’ They further described ‘a steep cliff runs N/S across the W side of the site. On the E side of this a curved wall enclosed a D-shaped area. The W portion of the site is level but towards the E it slopes steeply upwards and is irregular and broken by rock outcrops. The excavation was mainly confined to the W side with cuttings extended out through the enclosure wall at the S and E. This consisted of two rough kerbs of fairly small stones set on the natural rock with some loose pebble fill between them. The wall was best preserved on the N side and although it was visible elsewhere it was more irregular owing to the uneven nature of the ground surface. There was no evidence for an entrance. Even on the level W side the natural rock was very close to the surface and the depth of deposit, including humus, averages only 0.2m. Where there were natural depressions and crevices the deposit was up to 0.3m deep. Although no structural features were found there was evidence for occupation consisting of animal bones, pottery and flints which came from the crevices. The pottery recovered from the excavation was largely ‘Western Neolithic (Class I)’ including other diagnostic Neolithic artefacts including leaf-shaped arrowheads, scrapers etc. On that basis a Neolithic date (c. 3000 BC) is proposed for the enclosure. The cliff-edge enclosure is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 07/05/2006; 16/03/2016 and 28/06/2018. To see a 3D model of this house site, visit: https://skfb.ly/oswvD See attached aerial photograph CUCAP AVT017 and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 10 November 2020

• LI032-022008 Enclosure
  Description

  In rocky pasture on a NW-facing slope on a terrace above a low rock cliff / ledge on the Knockadoonon Peninsula, 65m SE and overlooking Lough Gur and Garret Island. The C-shaped enclosure site is located within a complex Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement that was discovered during a campaign of archaeological excavation over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Lough Gur (1954 and Cleary 2018). The enclosure was excavated in 1990-1 over two seasons, Cleary refers to it as the ‘C-shaped enclosure’ (Cleary 2018, 153). There has been some confusion (Grogan and Eogan 1987, 462 and Cleary 2003, 4) between Site 11 (LI032-022019-) and Site 12 (LI032-022007-), these two enclosures are located 150m to NE and 100m to SW respectively. Many other archaeological sites are located on the peninsula, including Circle K (LI032-022028-) located 55m S. The site is not depicted on historic OSi maps but is visible on the OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 as a C-shaped enclosure open to the W surrounded by a double walled stone bank covered in earth (ext. dims. c. 24m NE-SW; 23m NW-SE). It is also visible on the Digital Globe orthophoto taken 2011-2013. The first clear reference to the site (Grogan 1989, Vol. 2, 13) described is as ‘Site 23: the site forms about 2/3 of a circle. It is delineated by a double kerbed wall and has maximum dimensions of c. 27m x c. 26.5m. Rose Cleary who directed excavations at the site described it as ‘partially excavated in 1990-1 to recover material suitable for dating the Knockadoon enclosures and for reviewing the dating of Ó Ríordáin’s excavations on Knockadoon Hill (Cleary 2003, 4). The excavation showed that two sequential houses were constructed within the enclosure. Part of a field fence on the SW side of the enclosure was also excavated and was in contemporary use with the occupation of the enclosure. Radiocarbon evidence gave a date range of c. 1500-800 BC for site use and for Class II (Bronze Age pottery). The enclosure was located on a small plateau on the W-facing slope of Back Hill, Knockadoon, from where the terrain descends in a stepped fashion towards the lake shore. The enclosure wall was C-shaped in plan with internal dimensions of 18m (N/S) by 22m (E/W) and enclosed an area of 326m square (Cleary 2018, 153).’ Neolithic, Beaker period and Bronze Age phases were uncovered during the excavation. The C-shaped enclosure wall was radiocarbon dated to the Middle Bronze Age (c. 1600-1100 BC) and was established around pre-existing earlier settlement at the site. The enclosure is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 16/03/2016; 25/03/2017 and 28/06/2018. See Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 10 November 2020

• LI032-022009 House - prehistoric
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Situated on the E side of Lough Gur 45m N of the present shoreline, on the S facing slope of Knockadoon in an area with a rich concentration of prehistoric monuments. House site B excavated by Ó Ríordáin in the late 1940s which revealed the evidence for at least two buildings and three successive floor levels (Ó Ríordáin 1954, 312). The monument prior to excavation was described Ó Ríordáin as visible 'by reason of a series of large stones which appeared above the grass surface. These were mainly arranged in an E-W line about 20' [6m] in length with a few stones north of the eastern end of this line. It was hoped that on excavation further stones would be revealed to indicate a complete house-plan. This did not, however, prove to be the case and the stones as finally uncovered were substantially the same as those seen before excavation. There was little to indicate the remaining outline of the Site B house to which the stones and post-holes on the southern side belonged, but other stones and post-holes give indications of an eastern side forming an approximate right-angle with that along the south. A central hearth which occurred at a high level probably belongs to this building. A trench, depth varying between 5" [0.12m] and 7" [0.18m] in the clay, which terminated in a large rectangular post-hole about 16" [0.4m] deep, probably was a wall groove for a wooden wall but whether of the same house as that to which the stones belonged cannot be decided. Rock outcrop appeared here and there on the site and may have influenced the plan of the houses, possibly being utilized instead of wall-stones in places. This may have caused the outline to be irregular but there is in any case evidence that one building the site was rectilinear and probably approximately rectangular' (ibid., 312-4). A large quantity of pottery was found, all, except for a few sherds, Neolithic, though no coarse ware was uncovered (O'Kelly and O'Kelly 1978, 37-8). A cluster of white stones visible on Digital Globe aerial photograph appears to mark the location of this excavated house site. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 21 May 2018

• LI032-022010 House - Neolithic
  Description

  In rocky pasture on the S-facing slope of the Knockadoonon Peninsula, 50m N of and overlooking Lough Gur. The rectangular Neolithic house site (Site A) was discovered in 1939 during a campaign of archaeological excavations over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Lough Gur (1954, 229). The site is located within an area of dense archaeological activity dating principally from the Neolithic and Bronze Age up to the present day around the lake (Cleary 2018). Further Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement is located adjacent to the site. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site C (LI032-022012/013-/014-/015-) are located c. 35m to NE. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site D (LI032-022012-/013/014-/015-) are located c. 60m to ENE. Many other archaeological sites are located on the peninsula, including Circle K (LI032-022028-) located 120m to N. The Neolithic house site (LI032-022010- Site A) is not depicted on historic OSi maps. The rectangular stone wall footings are visible on OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. Rose Cleary (2018, 57-60) described the site as follows: ‘at the foot of the lower SW slope of Back Hill on Knockadoon, a stone footing was visible on the ground prior to excavation. The house was rectangular in plan with a N-S axis; the site slope resulted in the S end being 0.6m lower than the N end. The overall internal dimensions were 6.1m (E-W) by 9.75m (N-S). The stone footing was continuous along the perimeter except on the SW corner, where the entrance was located. The stone foundation was randomly set without a formal wall face. The stones were irregular and in places comprised large stones set directly on boulder clay, while other stones sat on the old ground surface or pre-wall sod level. Some of the footing stones were supported and steadied with smaller stones or sods, and clusters of smaller stones also occurred along the line of the footing. The stone foundation stood to a height of one or two courses and possibly formed a type of damp-proof course at the base of a wall made from organic material. Paired post-holes were set along the external and internal perimeters of the stone footing. The post-hole diameters were recorded as 0.18m, with depths of 0.12-0.25m. These dimensions most likely represented the tips of posts where they were driven into boulder clay levels rather than the actual sizes of the posts. Post-holes on Knockadoon Hill are only easily recognisable at boulder clay level and are not usually detectable in the upper humic soil. These perimeter post-holes at Site A marked the line of upright posts, and intermediary wattle walls between the posts may have formed the shell of the house wall. The cavity between the wattle walls may have been filled with moss, brushwood or rushes (Ó Ríordáin 1954, 302). The excavator considered that the absence of clay around the stone foundation precluded an interpretation of clay/mud or sod walls. This may not have been the case, however, as once the roof collapsed and the mud walls were exposed to the elements they would disintegrate or wash away and leave little trace. The perimeter posts along the walls also supported the roof. A reconstruction drawing of Site A shows a long house with gabled ends and a thatched roof (Cleary, 2018, 50-52). Post-holes within the house were 1.5-1.8m distant from the external walls, c. 2m apart and formed aisle divisions within the house, and were also considered by Ó Ríordáin to be structural and part of the roof supports. The occupation level within the Site A house was recorded under a 0.2-0.3m humic soil layer or the modern soil accumulation. The basal layer described as a ‘clay floor’ was not deliberately laid but was likely to have been the exposed boulder clay. It may have been that the builders stripped the site of sod and soil prior to construction in order to expose the boulder clay, which then provided a hard, firm floor surface. Over time, debris from occupation accumulated on this surface and was recorded particularly S of the central hearth towards the S wall. This section of the floor was subsequently paved to level up the S floor area. Ó Ríordáin (1954, 300) considered that the paving was originally more extensive than the section that survived. A c. 1m-wide break in the wall stones in the SW corner marked the doorway. A central hearth over the ‘clay floor’ was c. 0.7m in diameter. The architectural style and pottery from House Site A suggest a date range of 3750-3600 BC. The pottery was identified as Neolithic Class I ware and flat-based Bronze Age Class II pottery. Class I wares were round-based with angled profiles and undecorated, typical of Neolithic pottery. One sherd described as ‘decorated’ (Ó Ríordáin 1954, 308) was probably later than the primary occupation and may have been from the Beaker period. The Class II wares were thicker ‘coarse wares’ and date from the late Bronze Age (Cleary 1993, 118-19). The Bronze Age pottery was found on the clay floor as well as at higher levels, suggesting some disturbance of the primary Neolithic occupation layers (and re occupation later in the Bronze Age). Most of the pottery came from the NE area of the house around the hearth. The stone artefacts from Site A comprised an almost complete greenstone axehead, four axehead chips which were reused as scrapers and a slate spearhead. The axehead was found under the inner side of the N stone foundation and may have been deliberately placed there or perhaps casually used as a convenient stone. Eighty-six mainly flint artefacts were also recovered, including two leaf-shaped arrowheads, scrapers and blade tools. Quartz was also worked at Site A.’ The surviving rectangular stones that mark the walls of the house are visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 16/03/2016. To see a 3D model of this house site, visit: https://skfb.ly/os7BW See attached images Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 6 November 2020

• LI032-022011 House - prehistoric
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Situated on Knockadoon overlooking Lough Gur from S through W to N in an area with a rich concentration of prehistoric monuments. Prehistoric rectangular-shaped house site standing in centre of contemporaneous kerbed enclosure (LI032-022028-). Enclosure listed in 1912 by Windle as Circle K and recorded as House No. 2 by Ó Ríordáin who excavated the monument in 1940 (No. E000252). Prehistoric enclosure annotated as a 'Stone circle' (LI032-022020-) and standing stone (LI032-022021-) 85m to SSE. Prehistoric kerbed enclosure (LI032-022028-) with the remains of a rectangular house in centre of site. Monument described by O'Kelly (1944, 25-6) as following; 'This is the largest circle (LI032-022028-) on Knockadoon its diameter being 102' [31m]. It is composed of two concentric rings of stones placed close together leaving an annular space between, which is filled with rubble. The entrance is on the E side. Excavation by Ó Ríordáin showed that there had been four wooden posts terminating the ends of the circle at the entrance passage'. House No. 2 located inside the enclosure consisted of a rectangular (dims. 8.2m NE-SW x 6.4m NW-SE) area defined by low wall footings. The house was defined on the NE side by 'a double row of large stones (about 45cm by 30cm) with an earthen packing. The stones were set on a small earthen bank about 25cm high. On the south-east was a single row of slightly larger stones (about 50cm by 35cm); those towards the northern end were set on a continuation of the earthen bank and those on the southern end were placed on a slight rock outcrop, also about 25cm in height. The south-western footing too consisted of a single line of stones and here knobs of outcrop were used as part of it. Post-holes were placed on both sides of these three walls, occasionally paired opposite each other on either side of the stone footing (e.g. 7, 8, 13, 14). The north-western wall was marked by a line of three post-holes (10-12) cut into the rock outcrop on this side. Two large holes (17, 18) positioned slightly north and east of the house centre may have held roof supports. The post-holes have maximum dimensions of 15cm-50cm wide and 13cm-48cm deep. The entrance was probably in the middle of the south eastern wall, where there was a gap 80cm wide in the wall footing. The house had no internal fireplace. There was no stratigraphical evidence to show that the house was contemporary with the enclosure; another structure, House 1, which was unprotected, also occurred on the site. Nevertheless the virtually central location of the house with its entrance facing that of the enclosure and the absence of any other structural evidence within the circle suggest that the house and enclosure form one integral phase on the site.' (Grogan et. al. 1987, 367-8). The prehistoric enclosure was described in 1978 as a circular-shaped area (LI032-022028-) defined by two concentric rings of contiguous stones with an open flat area between the two rings. The interior was entered through an entrance gap at E. Excavation around the entrance gap revealed rock cut postholes which supported timbers for a possible wooden gate. In the centre of the circle the remains of a rectangular building (LI032-022011-) probably a house was uncovered. The outline of the building was defined by a series of rock cut postholes and the partial remains of low wall footings of the foundation of the structure (O'Kelly and O'Kelly 1978, 31-2). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 21 May 2018

• LI032-022012 House - prehistoric
  Description

  National monument No. 247. House site C excavated by Ó Ríordáin in the 1940s it was located on the S slope of Knockadoon. Site C lay east of Site A (LI032-022010-) and occupied a considerable portion of the hill-side which sloped from north to south, the lake shore being about 114 yards to the south. The area was attractively placed for habitation not only because of its southern aspect but also because it was to some extent sheltered from the east by the rocky ridge on which Site D (LI032-022016-) was situated. The house sites were located on a rocky shelf standing on a ridge of rock outcrop which ran north-south and gave protection to the whole site. To the west the limit of the site was again reached at a rock surface. To the north the inhabited area finally ceased at a point where the hill slope changed gradient and somewhat flattened out to the more level area above (Ó Ríordáin 1954, 321, 368). Prior to excavation the monument was partially visible as 'stones forming an approximate right angle appeared over the surface and it was thought that these indicated one corner of a rectangular house -possibly of the same type as that already uncovered on Site A. As the excavation proceeded, however, it was found that these stones were part of a wall which extended much further than originally anticipated and which represented a late phase of activity on the site (Ó Ríordáin 1954, 321). House site described by O'Kelly (1944, 25) as following; 'Within an enclosing stone wall were a number of circular posthole houses of an average diameter of 20' [6m]. The pottery was neolithic, but some later types in the upper levels indicated that occupation on the site continued into the Bronze Age'. The houses consisted of an outer wall formed of two concentric rings of posts about a metre apart, the space between having been filled with mud. The hearths were in the centre and beside each was a rubbish pit (O'Kelly and O'Kelly 1978, 36). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 21 May 2018

• LI032-022013 House - Neolithic
  Description

  In rocky pasture on the S-facing slope of Knockadoon Peninsula, 75m N of and overlooking Lough Gur. The circular Neolithic house site (Site C House I) was discovered in 1940 during a campaign of archaeological excavations over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Lough Gur (1953/4, 321-84). The site is located within an area of dense archaeological activity dating principally from the Neolithic and Bronze Age up to the present day around the lake (Cleary 2018). Further Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement is located adjacent to the site. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site A (LI032-022010-) was located c. 45m SW. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site D (LI032-022016-/017/018) are located c. 20m to NE. Many other archaeological sites are located on the peninsula, including Circle K (LI032-022028-) lies 92m to NNW. The Neolithic house site (LI032-022013- Site C House I) is not depicted on historic OSi maps. The site is not visible on OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 or on the Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. Rose Cleary (2018, 82) described the site as follows: ‘House I. This was in the centre of the 1940 excavation area. The footprint of the house suggests an internal diameter of c. 5.5m and an external diameter of c. 7.7m (E-W) by 6.3m (N-S). The walls were constructed using double posts along most of the perimeter, presumably with intermediary wattle walls between the upright posts, and a slot-trench (L 4.2m) on the N side as a footing for vertical planks. Ó Ríordáin suggested that the wall cavity between the outer and inner wattle walls was filled with some type of organic material, such as rushes or brushwood (ibid., 325). These types of walls were postulated for the earlier house types at Site A (LI032-022010-), Houses 1-2 (LI032-022011-) at Circle K (LI032-022028-) and House B, Circle L (LI032-022030-). House B at Circle L had a combination of double post-built and vertical planked walls. An inner setting of post-holes (LI032-022013- Site C House I) projected diameter of 2.4m, suggested upright posts that supported the roof. The intermediary space between the wall and the inner post setting varied from c. 0.6m to 1.1m, and this may have formed a compartment separated from the central ‘living area’. There was no clear evidence for a door in House I, although stones marked on the site plan suggested a threshold on the S side. The hearth site had seven small (c. 0.1m in diameter and 0.15m deep) stake-holes on the S side, suggesting a spit or pot-hanger over the fire. Ó Ríordáin interpreted a large kidney-shaped pit, c. 2.2m long (N-S) by 1.6m wide (E-W) and 0.6m deep, on the E side of the floor area as an internal rubbish pit.’ The faint outline of the excavation grid orientated E-W is visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 28/06/2018. The exact site location of House II is not clear and the location suggested here is the best estimate based on the text of the excavation report and attempting to correlate site photos and recent aerial orthoimages. See Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 11 November 2020

• LI032-022014 House - Neolithic
  Description

  In rocky pasture on the S-facing slope of Knockadoon Peninsula, 90m N of and overlooking Lough Gur. The circular Neolithic house site (Site C House II) was discovered in 1940 during a campaign of archaeological excavations over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Lough Gur (1954, 321-84). The site is located within an area of dense archaeological activity dating principally from the Neolithic and Bronze Age up to the present day around the lake (Cleary 2018). Further Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement is located adjacent to the site. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site A (LI032-022010-) was located c. 50m to SW. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site D (LI032-022016/017/018-) are located c. 20m to NE. Many other archaeological sites are located on the peninsula, including Circle K (LI032-022028-) located 90m to NNW. The Neolithic house site (LI032-022014- Site C House II) is not depicted on historic OSi maps. The site is not visible on OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 or on the Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. Rose Cleary (2018, 83) described the site as follows: ‘House II: This was c. 7m NW of House I. Paired posts formed most of the wall circumference, and there was a slot-trench for a plank-built wall in the NE and E walls. Similar to House I, the upright wall posts probably had intermediary wattle walling and partly plank-built walling. The footprint of the house was oval in plan, with estimated diameters of c. 7.6m (NW-SE) by 6.5m (NE-SW) externally and 5.2m (NE-SW) by 6.3m (NW-SE) internally. Four large post-holes that were slightly off-centre may have held roof-support posts. Nineteen other post-holes within the floor area of House II did not form any clear pattern. A hearth on the NW side was off-centre and described as sunken and 0.15m deep. The entrance may have been on the S side but the evidence for this was not conclusive, as a 0.3m-deep pit was cut across the possible entrance area. This pit may have been contemporary with or pre- or post-dated the house and was one of a series of three sequential pits on the S side of the house. Three other pits were recorded within House II: an irregularly shaped pit, c. 1.8m long (E/W), on the E side, and two pits with maximum diameters of c. 1m on the W side. Their function and their relationship to House II is unknown. The faint outline of the excavation grid orientated E-W is visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 28/06/2018. The exact location of House II is not clear and the location suggested here is the best estimate based on the text of the excavation report and attempting to correlate site photos and recent aerial orthoimages. See Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 11 November 2020

• LI032-022015 House - Neolithic
  Description

  In rocky pasture on the S-facing slope of Knockadoon Peninsula, 100m N of and overlooking Lough Gur. The circular Neolithic house site (Site C House III) was discovered in 1949 during a campaign of archaeological excavations over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Lough Gur (1954, 321-84). The site is located within an area of dense archaeological activity dating principally from the Neolithic and Bronze Age up to the present day around the lake (Cleary 2018). Further Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement is located adjacent to the site. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site A (LI032-022010-) were located c. 55m SW. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site D (LI032-022016/017/018-) were located c. 20m to NE. Many other archaeological sites are located on the peninsula, including Circle K (LI032-022028-) lies 92m to NNW. The Neolithic house site (LI032-022015- Site C House III) is not depicted on historic OSi maps. The site is not visible on OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 or on the Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. Rose Cleary (2018, 83-4) described the site as follows: ‘House III: this house, located immediately NE of House II, was excavated in 1949. House III was structurally different to Houses I and II in that the perimeter wall was a single line of posts set at irregularly spaced intervals, from 0.2m to 1.5m apart. The posts were described as light, with depths of 0.1—0.2m, but these depths only represent the tips of the posts where they had been driven into the boulder clay. House III was roughly circular in plan, with a diameter of 5m. A slightly off-centre large (diameter 0.3m) internal post-hole may have held a roof-support post. Two burnt patches within the house were possible hearth sites. A yellow clay bank c. 4.2m to the NW of House III was composed of a mixture of redeposited boulder clay, charcoal, organic matter and some unspecified finds. It sat on a layer of occupation soil and a possible hearth. Ó Ríordáin suggested that the bank was backed by posts and postulated some type of enclosure on the NW side of House II, but the evidence for this is not convincing. Concentrations of post-holes were recorded to the NE of House III but there was no clear pattern, although these may have been the vestiges of a house. Stone ‘walls’ traversed the area excavated in 1949; these were in the SW corner, across the yellow clay bank, to the W of House III and on the N periphery of the excavated area. The walls appeared to have been single courses of stones and it is unlikely that they ever stood to any great height. Some walls were high up in the stratigraphy and unrelated to the Neolithic occupation of the site. The faint outline of the excavation grid orientated E-W is visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 28/06/2018. The exact site location of House III is not clear and the location suggested here is the best estimate based on the text of the excavation report and attempting to correlate site photos and recent aerial orthoimages. See attached Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 12 November 2020

• LI032-022016 House - Bronze Age
  Description

  In rocky pasture on the S-facing slope of Knockadoon Peninsula, 118m N of and overlooking Lough Gur. The oval Bronze Age house (Site D House I) was discovered during a campaign of archaeological excavations over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Lough Gur (1954, 384-413). The site is located within an area of dense archaeological activity dating principally from the Neolithic and Bronze Age up to the present day around the lake (Cleary 2018). Two other houses (Houses II (LI032-022017-); and House III (LI032-022018-) were found during the archaeological excavations at Site D. Further Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement is located adjacent to the site. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site A (LI032-022010-) were located 100m SW. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site C (LI032-022012/013/014/015-) were located c. 20m to SW. Many other archaeological sites are located on the peninsula, including Circle K (LI032-022028-) located 100m to NW and Circle J (LI032-022020-) located 45m to NE. The Bronze Age house site (LI032-022016- Site D House I) is not depicted on historic OSi maps. The stone that delineates the E side of the house and the bedrock that it is built against on the W are visible on OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. Rose Cleary (2018, 83-4) described the site as follows: ‘House I: walls visible on the surface prior to the excavation were interpreted by Ó Ríordáin as stone foundations marking the basal levels of a house that was roughly rectangular in plan, measuring 5.5m N-S by 3.5m E-W. The stones on the SW side were set upright on a roughly cobbled surface or on exposed bedrock and were supported by smaller stones and sods wedged under the uprights. The foundation at the W end of the house was on a rock outcrop. The type of superstructure House I may have had is unknown, although Ó Ríordáin suggested that the walls above the stone foundation may have been built of sods. There was a stone-lined post-hole, possibly for a roof support, near the centre of the house. House I partly overlay the floor area of a middle Neolithic round house (House II). There are no locational details of the finds from House I. Ó Ríordáin noted that decoration on the Class II pottery was rare and this might indicate a date in the late Bronze Age. A number of sherds illustrated in the published record have perforations below the rims that also suggest a late Bronze Age date. A line of large stones to the S of the house extended across a narrow valley to link with outcropping rock; a short section of a second wall at the E end of the line of stones was c. 1.2m to the N. The intermediary space between the walls was used as a rubbish dump and a considerable amount of occupation debris, including Class II pottery and animal bones, was recovered from the area. Ó Ríordáin suggested that the accumulation of rubbish inside the wall created a level surface that served as a yard for the house. Two other walls c. 15m to the N of the house also closed off the area around the house and were c. 3m apart. The N enclosing wall was built of large stones, and occupation debris, including animal bones and Class II pottery, had accumulated against it. The S wall was built of smaller stones set into a natural rock fissure. Ó Ríordáin interpreted the walls to the N and S of the Bronze Age house as terraces to prevent soil and scree from washing down the hill. Alternatively, the walls could have formed an enclosure around House I similar to the enclosure at Site 10 (LI032-022003-). The line of the stones that mark the outline of House I are visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 28/06/2018. To see a 3D model of this house site, visit: https://skfb.ly/osrzC See attached Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 12 November 2020

• LI032-022017 House - Neolithic
  Description

  In rocky pasture on the S-facing slope of Knockadoon Peninsula, 117m N of and overlooking Lough Gur. The Neolithic round house (Site D House II) was discovered during a campaign of archaeological excavations over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Lough Gur (1954, 384-413). The site is located within an area of dense archaeological activity dating principally from the Neolithic and Bronze Age up to the present day around the lake (Cleary 2018). Two other houses (Houses I (LI032-022016-); and House III (LI032-022018-) were found during the archaeological excavations at Site D. Further Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement is located adjacent to the site. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site A (LI032-022010-) were located 100m to SW. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site C (LI032-022012/013/014/015-) were located c. 20m to SW. Many other archaeological sites are located on the peninsula, including Circle K (LI032-022028-) located 100m NW and Circle J (LI032-022020-) located 45m to NE. The Neolithic house (LI032-022017- Site D House II) is not depicted on historic OSi maps. The house is not visible on OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 or on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013, although the grass covered site of the house is visible between two N-S orientated bands of bedrock 12m apart. Rose Cleary (2018, 87-91) described the site as follows: ‘in a small, narrow valley E of Site C. The architectural style of circular and oval houses suggests a middle Neolithic date (3600-3000 BC), although there are few details on the provenance of the finds. Two post-built houses (Houses II (LI032-022017-) and III (LI032-022018-) were recognised on the excavation, although Ó Ríordáin suggested that more than one construction phase was evident at both houses and that each may have been rebuilt. Bedrock in the area of Site D was close to the surface, and some of the structural posts may have been wedged into bedrock crevices. House I (LI032-022016-) at Site D was rectangular in plan with a stone foundation and was built in the Bronze Age. House IIa was circular; a later, larger house (House IIb) of oval plan was rebuilt on the same site. The evidence for this two-phase construction was a clay floor on the S and W sides of the later house that covered some of the post-holes and a foundation trench of House IIa. The foundation of House IIa was a curved slot-trench for a plank-built wall on the W side; the SW side of this trench was cut into by later pits. The projected arc of House IIa continued across exposed bedrock; structural posts were probably fixed in place into rock crevices and would have been difficult to detect on an excavation. The estimated diameter of House IIa was c. 6m. House IIb was constructed over the footprint of House IIa and built from free-standing posts which formed a roughly oval plan. The estimated dimensions were c. 7.5m (N/S) by 5m (E/W). An off-centre internal hearth recorded on the NE side of the house may have belonged to either House IIa or House IIb. Three large (up to 0.5m) stones or flagstones were on three sides, while a post-hole on the S side may have held a pot-hanger over the fire. Three post-holes within the footprint of the houses may have held structural roof supports for either House IIa or House IIb. There was no evidence for a door in either house, but this was likely to have been on the S or W side rather than on the N or E side, where the ground level rose and the bedrock was high.’ The grass covered site of the house is visible between two N-S orientated bands of bedrock 12m on Google Earth orthoimage taken 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 12 November 2020

• LI032-022018 House - Neolithic
  Description

  In rocky pasture on the S-facing slope of Knockadoon Peninsula, 105m N of and overlooking Lough Gur. The Neolithic round house (Site D House III) was discovered during a campaign of archaeological excavations over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Lough Gur (1954, 384-413). The site is located within an area of dense archaeological activity dating principally from the Neolithic and Bronze Age up to the present day around the lake (Cleary 2018). Two other houses (Houses I (LI032-022016-); and House II (LI032-022017-) were found during the archaeological excavations at Site D. Further Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement is located adjacent to the site. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site A (LI032-022010-) were located 100m to SW. Archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Site C (LI032-022012/013/014/015-) were located c. 20m to SW. Many other archaeological sites are located on the peninsula, including Circle K (LI032-022028-) located 100m to NW and Circle J (LI032-022020-) located 45m to NE. The Neolithic house (LI032-022018- Site D House III) is not depicted on historic OSi maps. The house is not visible on OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 or on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013, although the grass covered site of the house is visible between two N-S orientated bands of bedrock 12m apart. Rose Cleary (2018, 87-91) described the site as follows: ‘in a small, narrow valley E of Site C. The architectural style of circular and oval houses suggests a middle Neolithic date (3600-3000 BC), although there are few details on the provenance of the finds. Two post-built houses (Houses II (LI032-022017-) and III (LI032-022018-) were recognised on the excavation, although Ó Ríordáin suggested that more than one construction phase was evident at both houses and that each may have been rebuilt. Bedrock in the area of Site D was close to the surface, and some of the structural posts may have been wedged into bedrock crevices. House I (LI032-022016-) at Site D was rectangular in plan with a stone foundation and was built in the Bronze Age. House III a-c was to the S site of House II at a distance of c. 2m. At least two houses and possibly a third appear to have been built. It is not possible to determine the stratigraphic sequence based on the published record, but it may be that the smaller circular house (House IIIa) was contemporary with House IIa and was replaced by a larger oval-shaped house (House IIIb) similar to House IIb. House IIIa was circular in plan with an estimated diameter of c. 6m.The evidence for a foundation on the N side was a 1.5m-long slot-trench for a plank-built wall, a line of stones and a feature that Ó Ríordáin described as a ‘step’. This ‘step’ extended along the N and W sides of the projected outline of House IIIa and probably marked the line of a more extensive slot-trench. Post-holes on the S and E sides marked upright posts, which probably had intermediary wattle walling plastered with mud. House IIIb was larger and oval in plan, with estimated diameters of 7.5m N-S and 3m E-W. Its foundation outline was a slot-trench along the E and part of the S sides; a ‘step’ in the ground level on the N side was also likely to have been part of the slot-trench. Large post-holes within the slot-trench on the E side marked upright posts. On the S side the trench terminated at a post-hole, possibly indicating a door-jamb for a S-facing entrance. A third slot-trench was cut c. 0.5-0.7m from the E perimeter of House IIIb and may represent the remains of a third house (House IIIc) or a rebuilding of the E side of House IIIb. It varied in width, with a maximum of 0.5m; no depths are recorded. A post-hole at the terminus on the S side may have held a door-jamb for a S-facing door. A centrally placed hearth was recorded within the footprint of Houses IIIa and IIIb. Ó Ríordáin described the hearth as a heavily burnt area, suggesting longevity of use whereby the hearth was in continuous use in two sequential houses. Five post-holes within the floor area of Houses IIIa and IIIb may have marked the locations of structural roof-support uprights in either house. The grass covered site of the house is visible between two N-S orientated bands of bedrock 12m on Google Earth orthoimage taken 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 12 November 2020

• LI032-022019 Enclosure
  Description

  In rocky scrub woodland on the NW-facing slope of Knockadoon Peninsula on a terrace above a low rock cliff 40m SE of Lough Gur. Located looking NW towards Knockfennell. The enclosure (Site 11) is within a complex Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement that was discovered during a campaign of archaeological excavation over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Lough Gur (Cleary 2018). Archaeological excavations were conducted by Ó Ríordáin at Circle K (LI032-022028-) 210m to SSW and at Site 12 (LI032-022007-) 280m to SW. Archaeological excavations were conducted by Cleary at a C-shaped enclosure (LI032-022008-) 150m to SW. An unexcavated enclosure (LI032-022022-) is located 20m to E. Archaeological excavations were reputedly conducted by Ó Ríordáin at Site 11 (O’Kelly and O’Kelly 1978, 21), although this appears not to have been the case. Ó Ríordáin died prematurely and some of his excavations at Lough Gur were published posthumously (Grogan and Eogan 1987). Their analysis of the site excavation archive identified confusion within the numbering of artefacts excavated at Site 12 but numbered Site 11, additionally some of the Ó Ríordáin site excavation archives cannot be located. The site is not depicted on historic OSi maps but is visible on both OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthophoto taken 2011-2013 as a C-shaped enclosure (ext. dims. c. 27m NE-SW; 25m NW-SE) that backs onto the cliff edge and is open to the NW. Dr Eoin Grogan and Professor George Eogan (1987, 462) described Site 11 (LI032-022019-) as an ‘irregular enclosure of similar construction to Site 12 (LI032-022007-) on the N side of Knockadoon. Although O’Kelly indicated that this site had been excavated no records of the excavation are known. However there appears to have been some confusion over the numbering of the finds from Site 12 as this was originally designated Site 11’. Ó Ríordáin (1953/4, 459, Plate XII) and Cleary (2003, 99) illustrated the location of Site 11. The enclosure is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 05/04/2006; 16/03/2006; 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 24 November 2020

• LI032-022020 Enclosure
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Situated on the S facing slope of Knockadoon over looking Lough Gur in an area rich in prehistoric monuments. Prehistoric enclosure (LI032-022028-) annotated as a 'Stone Circle' on OS map with house site (LI032-022011-) 85m to NNW, standing stone (LI032-022021-) in SE quadrant of monument. Listed by Windle (1912) as Circle J. Monument described by Ó Ríordáin (1954, 445, 458) as a circular habitation enclosure surrounded by a double-kerbed bank. Described by O'Kelly (1944, 25) as following; 'This circle consists of two concentric rings of contiguous or almost contiguous Stones, the annular space between the rings being filled with rubble. None of the stones are more than 4' [1.2m] high and most of them are much less. The overall diameter is 100' [30m]. In the S.E quadrant of the interior is a small standing stone 3' 2" [0.95m] high by 1' 7" [0.5m] by 11" [0.3m], and is 15' 6" [4.7m] from the nearest point of the inner circle of stones. The entrance is not recognisable. The natural rock outcrop where it was convenient, has been used to form parts of the circumference. It was partially excavated by Ó Ríordáin, the portions examined being around the standing stone. Surrounding the stone was a rude circle of small boulders inside which were found the bones of an infant whose age was from 6 to 8 years. Some distance to the W and inside a similar circle, a cist was found. In this were adult and infant bones. There were no associated objects on which the structure could be dated but as it is similar in many ways to the next circle to be described (circle R), which has been shown to be Bronze Age, it may be presumed that circle J belongs to the same period'. This type of prehistoric enclosed habitation site was described as a circular shaped delimited by a substantial double-kerbed wall retaining a rubble and earth bank (Grogan and Eogan 1987, 299-300). The upstanding remains of the monument were described as 'Before excavation the wall was clearly visible on the southern and western sides. At the north it appeared more as an earthen bank, and rock outcrop had been used to form part of the circumference in this area. The wall ceased completely to the east and the line of the circle was not evident. The enclosure has an average external diameter of c. 29m. A small standing stone [LI032-022021-] occurs in the south-eastern quadrant' (Eogan and Grogan 1987, 305). According to Grogan and Eogan (1987, 300) this site type on Knockadoon revealed 'Evidence for centrally located houses came from three sites and there was a limited number of individual burials contemporary with the settlement. Three of the sites, including one which was of single-phase activity only, were enclosed during the Neolithic, while the walls at two other sites were constructed in the Beaker period. Domestic occupation continued into this period at some sites, and at one site the final phase is represented by a small quantity of Bowl food vessels. Limited activity occurred during the Later Bronze Age at Circle K while Circle J was used as a burial ground during the first millennium A.D.' The excavation of this monument by Ó Ríordáin was summarised by Grogan and Eogan (1987, 305) who stated that 'Three main phases of activity are represented on this site. The first, dating to the late Neolithic, is an unenclosed habitation. This was succeeded by a second phase during which the domestic site was enclosed by a double-kerbed wall. Long after its occupation role, Circle J was used as a burial ground in the late prehistoric/early historic period'. To see a 3D model of this enclosure, visit; https://skfb.ly/osxHN Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 21 May 2018

• LI032-022021 Standing stone
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Situated on the S facing slope of Knockadoon over looking Lough Gur in an area rich in prehistoric monuments. Prehistoric enclosure annotated as a 'stone circle' (LI032-022028-) with house site (LI032-022011-) 85m to NNW, standing stone in SE quadrant of prehistoric enclosure (LI032-022020-) also annotated as a 'Stone Circle' on current ed. OS 6-inch map. Described by O'Kelly (1944, 25) as following; 'This circle consists of two concentric rings of contiguous or almost contiguous stones, the annular space between the rings being filled with rubble. None of the stones are more than 4' [1.2m] high and most of them are much less. The overall diameter is 100' [30m]. In the SE quadrant of the interior is a small standing stone 3' 2" [0.95m] high by 1' 7" [0.5m] by 11" [0.3m], and is 15' 6" [4.7m] from the nearest point of the inner circle of stones. The entrance is not recognisable. The natural rock outcrop where it was convenient, has been used to form parts of the circumference. It was partially excavated by Ó Ríordáin, the portions examined being around the standing stone. Surrounding the stone was a rude circle of small boulders inside which were found the bones of an infant whose age was from 6 to 8 years. Some distance to the W and inside a similar circle, a cist was found. In this were adult and infant bones. There were no associated objects on which the structure could be dated but as it is similar in many ways to the next circle to be described (circle R), which has been shown to be Bronze Age, it may be presumed that circle J belongs to the same period'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 21 May 2018

• LI032-022022 Enclosure
  Description

  In rocky pasture and scrub woodland on the NW-facing slope of Knockadoon Peninsula on a terrace between two low rock cliffs. Located looking NW towards Knockfennell 75m SE of Lough Gur. Located to the N of a complex Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement that was discovered during a campaign of archaeological excavation over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Lough Gur (Cleary 2018). Archaeological excavations were conducted by Ó Ríordáin at Circle K (LI032-022028-) 265m to SSW and at Site 12 (LI032-022007-) 340m to SW. Archaeological excavations were conducted by Cleary at a C-shaped enclosure (LI032-022008-) 210m to SW. An unexcavated enclosure (Site 11, LI032-022019-) is located 20m to W. The site is not depicted on historic OSi maps but is faintly visible on both OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthophoto taken 2011-2013 as a curving S-shaped enclosure (ext. dims. 75m NE-SW; 20m NW-SE). Grogan (1989) described how ‘the N side of the site is formed by a double kerbed wall the platform [presumably within the enclosure] has max dimensions of 35m x 25m’. The site is illustrated by Cleary (2003, 99) and described as a double stone row with infilled bank at the N where the enclosure is C-shaped and is open to the S. A single curving stone wall extends from the SW side of the enclosure along the top of a cliff edge for 60m forming the W side of the enclosure. The enclosure is partially visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 05/04/2006; 25/03/2017; 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 24 November 2020

• LI032-022023 Hut site
  Description

  In pasture at the S end of narrow N-S steep sided valley that bisects Knockadoon Peninsula separating Back Hill to the W and Knockmore to the E. Site I (LI032-022023-) was excavated in 1945 by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin (1954, 435-42). The excavated remains form part of a wider complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement that was discovered during a campaign of archaeological excavation over 18 seasons. Archaeological excavations were conducted by Ó Ríordáin at Site J (LI032-022024-) 55m to N; Circle J (LI032-022020-) 70m to SW; Site 12 (LI032-022007-) 265m to W and Circle L (LI032-022030-) 180m to NE. The site is not depicted on historic OSi maps but is visible as a tree covered area on both OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthophoto taken 2011-2013. Ó Ríordáin (ibid., 435) described the location of the excavation at the S end of a series of field lynchets that define cultivation terraces (LI032-022001-) orientated E-W within the valley. The purpose of the investigation at Site I was to ‘excavate a small hut placed against the fourth terrace’ and to ‘discover the relationship of this terrace with the ditch and bank, to reveal the construction of the third terrace and to investigate the area between the terraces’. According to Ó Ríordáin ‘the hut was a small and poorly-built structure’ as was the terrace alongside it. Excavation revealed the hut to be very ’irregularly rectangular’ (int. dims 3m N-S; 2.5m E-W). Four irregularly placed post-holes discovered in the interior of the hut were not deemed sufficient to suggest a roof type. A gap in the wall at the SW corner indicates the probable position of the entrance; the hearth was against the S wall associated with Western Neolithic pottery (3000 BC). Field terracing and enclosures were uncovered at the site as well as a human inhumation burial, later finds suggest that the structures are not all cotemporary. The enclosure is partially visible on Google Earth orthoimages under regenerating woodland taken 16/03/2016 and 28/06/2018. Much of the site remains unexcavated. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 24 November 2020

• LI032-022024 House - 17th century
  Description

  In pasture at the centre of a narrow N-S steep sided valley that bisects Knockadoon Peninsula separating Back Hill to the W and Knockmore to the E. Site J (LI032-022024-) was excavated in 1945 by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin (Ó Ríordáin and Ó Danachair 1947). The excavated remains form part of a wider complex of Neolithic, Bronze Age and later settlement that was discovered during a campaign of archaeological excavation over 18 seasons. Archaeological excavations were conducted by Ó Ríordáin at Site I (LI032-022023-) 55m to S; Circle J (LI032-022020-) 120m to SW and Circle L (LI032-022030-) 155m to E. The walls and field systems associated with the site are part of a wider field system (LI032-022001-) surrounding the site (LI032-022024-). Site J is not depicted on historic OSi maps, but the house foundations are visible on both OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthophoto taken 2011-2013. Ó Ríordáin and Ó Danachair (ibid., 39) described the location of the excavation as, ‘further N and higher up the valley [from Site I]. It lay immediately above another of these cultivation terraces, and the N end of the site abutted on the collapsed wall of a potato garden which had been tilled towards the end of the last century’. On excavation the site proved ‘to be an early 17th century house. Even more fortuitous and surprising was the fact that immediately under the floor of this house was found an early habitation level which yielded Neolithic material’. The house was rectangular (ext. dims 17.3m N-S; 6.8m E-W), the internal floor consisted of packed yellow boulder clay. Excavation on the W side revealed two walls projecting from the W wall giving the house an L-shaped plan. A central chimney breast housed two back to back hearths dividing the interior into at least two rooms, a further hearth in the W wall suggests further sub-division. An entrance doorway (Wth. 1.25m) was centrally located in the E wall. A cobbled external paved surface was located outside the house on the S and E side. Post-medieval finds from the house include diagnostic North Devon Sgraffito pottery of 17th century date. A Neolithic hearth associated with contemporary pottery, stone axes and flint was discovered under the post-medieval floor. The enclosure and house platform is partially visible beside semi mature trees on Google Earth orthoimages taken 16/03/2016 and 28/06/2018.The western half of the site remains unexcavated. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 25 November 2020

• LI032-022026 Enclosure
  Description

  In rocky pasture under a low cliff on the E side of narrow N-S steep sided valley that bisects Knockadoon Peninsula separating Back Hill to the W and Knockmore to the E. The enclosure site is located E of a complex Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement that was discovered during a campaign of archaeological excavation over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Lough Gur (Cleary 2018). These include archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Circle K (LI032-022028-) 290m to SW and at Circle J (LI032-022020-) 250m to SSW. Archaeological excavations were conducted by Cleary at a C-shaped enclosure (LI032-022008-) 275m Sto W. The enclosure (LI032-022026-) is located within a field system (LI032-022001-). The site is not depicted on historic OSi maps nor is it clearly visible on both the OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthophoto taken 2011-2013. Grogan (1989) recorded that ‘the site consists of a half circle formed by a double kerbed wall set against the base of the cliff. It is c. 10m in diameter‘. The site is illustrated by Cleary (2003, 99) and drawn and recorded as a C-shaped stone and earthen bank which abuts the E cliff face of a narrow valley that bisects Knockadoon Peninsula. The site of the enclosure is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. The precise location of the monument should be verified by fieldwork. See attached site location map by Cleary 2003 and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 25 November 2020

• LI032-022027 Enclosure
  Description

  In rocky pasture above a low cliff on the E side and overlooking a narrow N-S steep sided valley that bisects Knockadoon Peninsula separating Back Hill to the W and Knockmore to the E. The enclosure site is located NE of a complex Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement that was discovered during a campaign of archaeological excavation over 18 seasons led by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Lough Gur (Cleary 2018). These include archaeological excavations by Ó Ríordáin at Circle K (LI032-022028-) 315m to SW and at Circle J (LI032-022020-) 250m to SW. Archaeological excavations were conducted by Cleary at a C-shaped enclosure (LI032-022008-) 300m to WSW. The enclosure (LI032-022026-) is located 50m to NW. The site is not depicted on historic OSi maps nor is it clearly visible on both OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimage taken 2011-2013. Grogan (1989) described the enclosure as D-shaped with max. dimensions of 15m. It is referred to as ‘Grogan Site 22’ in the Archaeological Survey of Ireland Site and Monuments Record Archive. The site of the enclosure is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. The precise location of the monument should be verified by fieldwork. See attached site location map by Cleary 2003 and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 25 November 2020

• LI032-022028 Enclosure
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Situated on the E facing slope of Knockadoon overlooking Lough Gur in an area rich in prehistoric monuments. Depicted as a stone circle on all editions of the OS 6-inch maps. Prehistoric enclosure annotated as a 'Stone Circle' (LI032-022020-) and standing stone (LI032-022021-) 85m to SSE, prehistoric house sites (LI032-022006/009/010-/012-/013/014/015/016/019) 90m to S, Seeaghanmnatee (LI032-022002-) 145m to WSW. Enclosure listed in 1912 by Windle as Circle K and Ó Ríordáin excavated the monument in 1940 (No. E000252). The excavation revealed that; 'This is an enclosed habitation site dating to the later Neolithic and Beaker periods. Two major phases of activity are represented. In the earlier unenclosed phase, occupation centred on a roughly square house (No. 1) (LI032-022036-). Subsequently this was replaced with a rectangular house (No. 2) (LI032-022011-) located within a double-kerbed enclosure. A small quantity of later Bronze Age material came from higher levels on the site' (Grogan and Eogan 1987, 336). Five burials (LI032-022037-) were excavated in 1940 adjacent to the square-shaped prehistoric house site. Prehistoric kerbed enclosure described by Ó Ríordáin (1954, 445, 458) as a circular habitation enclosure surrounded by a double-kerbed bank. This type of prehistoric enclosed habitation site was described as a circular shaped area delimited by a substantial double-kerbed wall retaining a rubble and earth bank (Grogan and Eogan 1987, 299-300). According to Grogan and Eogan (1987, 300) this site type on Knockadoon revealed 'Evidence for centrally located houses came from three sites and there was a limited number of individual burials contemporary with the settlement. Three of the sites, including one which was of single-phase activity only, were enclosed during the Neolithic, while the walls at two other sites were constructed in the Beaker period. Domestic occupation continued into this period at some sites, and at one site the final phase is represented by a small quantity of Bowl food vessels. Limited activity occurred during the Later Bronze Age at Circle K while Circle J was used as a burial ground during the first millennium A.D.' Enclosed prehistoric habitation site listed as 'Stone Circle K' by Windle who described the monument as following; 'This is the largest and most important circle of the group at present under consideration. It is a large circle, or rather a series of three concentric circles, composed of small stones. Thus it corresponds, save in size and in the possession of a gallaun, with the circle just described. The outer diameter of the outside circle is 102 feet 6 inches [31.25m]. The inside measurement of the second circle is 88 feet 6 inches [27m]. The average width of the ambulatory between them (inside measurement) is 4 feet [1.2m]. On the eastern side there is a considerable gap in the outer part of the circle looking towards the two gallauns on the side of the hill, and here there are some indications of an avenue. The compass bearing taken at right angles to the centre of this opening is 153°. The two outer circles are best defined on the east, fairly well on the south, badly on the north, and not very well on the west. There is no stone more than 4 feet [1.2m] in height, and many of them are much less. With regard to the small central circle which seems to have existed originally this consists now of some scattered stones overgrown with grass and moss. I cannot speak with absolute certainty as to these representing a small circle, but I think that they do so. It is quite impossible to count the stones, but, judging from those visible and from the moss-mounds which represent others, there must originally have been something like 200. The two gallauns "I" are not horizon marks from this circle, but the outcrop and conical Galtee are. The magnetic bearing from the north stone to the southern side of the opening over the outcrop of rock to the top of the conical hill is 153°. From the centre of the opening it is 155° 5". All the visible stones in this circle are limestone' (Windle 1912, 300-1). Monument described by O'Kelly (1944, 25-6) as following; 'This is the largest circle on Knockadoon its diameter being 102' [31m]. It is composed of two concentric rings of stones placed close together leaving an annular space between, which is filled with rubble. The entrance is on the E side. Excavation by Ó Ríordáin showed that there had been four wooden posts terminating the ends of the circle at the entrance passage'. The monument was described in 1978 as a circular-shaped area (diam. 31m) defined by two concentric rings of contiguous stones (Max. H 1.2m) with an open flat area (Wth 1.2m) between the two rings. The interior was entered through an entrance gap at E. Excavation around the entrance gap revealed rock cut postholes which supported timbers for a possible wooden gate. In the centre of the circle the remains of a rectangular building (LI032-022011-) probably a house was uncovered. The outline of the building was defined by a series of rock cut postholes and the partial remains of low wall footings of the foundation of the structure (O'Kelly and O'Kelly 1978, 31-2). This type of prehistoric enclosed habitation site was described as a circular shaped delimited by a substantial double-kerbed wall retaining a rubble and earth bank (Grogan and Eogan 1987, 299-300). To see a 3D model of this monument, visit: https://skfb.ly/ossuP Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 23 May 2018

• LI032-022029 Dovecote
  Description

  Situated in woodland area 160m NW of Lough Gur Castle (LI032-022034-) and 65m S of the shoreline of Lough Gur. Present remains consist of a circular-shaped tower (ext. diam. 6.5m; int. diam. 4.9m; wall T approx. 0.4-0.8m) with rubble built walls standing to first floor level only, a portion of the wall has collapsed and the surviving section stands to a maximum 2.6m high. The internal face of the dovecote has been destroyed and no nesting boxes are visible. Dovecote or pigeon house drawn in 1681 by Thomas Dineley when he visited Lough Gur Castle (NLI, MS 39). On this drawing the circular shaped pigeon house has a dome-shaped roof rising from a string-course with a cupola also known as a lantern or glover placed over the centre of the opening of the roof which allowed access for the birds and protected the interior from rain. A decorative pole can be seen on the drawing rising from the top of the cupola. See attached drawing of 'Pigeon House' labelled P by Thomas Dineley (https://ttce.nuigalway.ie/irelandillustrated/?ttce_function=5&object_type=image&id=ii_image_1375093291) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 10 December 2020

• LI032-022030 Enclosure
  Description

  In mature deciduous forestry on the steep and rocky SE slope of Knockadoon Peninsula. The site is located above and NW of the path connecting Black Castle (LI032-031----) with Bouchier's Castle (LI032-022034-). Archaeological excavations were conducted by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin at Circle K (LI032-022028-) 410m to W; Circle J (LI032-022020-) 300m to WSW and at Site E (LI032-022032-) 70m to NE. Circle L (RMP No. ) is located 40m to NW. The site is not depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch or on the 1897 ed. 25-inch maps. It is depicted on the Cassini 6-inch OSi map as a curving arc of hachures defining an enclosure open to the SE (ext. diam. c. 25m). Grogan (1989, Vol. 2, 6) described the enclosure as Circle L from within Windle’s (1912) series. The two sites are separate monuments in distinct locations. The site is visible as woodland on Google Earth orthoimage taken28/06/2018. Future fieldwork should seek to identify the site on the hillside within the woodland. See attached Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 25 November 2020

• LI032-022031 Cairn - ring-cairn
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Ring-cairn situated on top of 'Knockmore' (Carraig Mór) with commanding views of the surrounding countryside. Site of Dun Gair depicted on current ed. OS 6-inch map 35m to SSE of ring-cairn. It has been suggested by O'Kelly that the ring-cairn and Dun Gair are one of the same site but this is uncertain. It is more likely that the monument known as Dun Gair would have been a ringfort or cashel type monument rather than that a small ring-cairn. In the Book of Rights, the fortress Dun Gair is listed as one of the seats of the King of Cashel and this reference may be a to large enclosure or cashel that was location on this hill but which has since been levelled as suggested on 6-inch map (Lynch 1895, 246). On the 1840 ed. OS 6-inch map a spot height of 446 ft. [136m] OD is depicted at the location of the ring-cairn. The ring-cairn overlooks Bourchiers Castle (LI032-022034-) 225m to N, a small lake now drained containing two crannóga (LI032-039001/002-) annotated as 'Balie Islands' 130m to E, prehistoric enclosure (LI032-022030-) 85m to S. Similar in size and morphology to a ring-cairn (LI032-014009-) standing on the summit of Knockfennell which is visible 780m to NNW. The ring-cairn is the monument Windle (1912) marked as 'Stone Circle M' in 1912. It consists of a circular area (approx. diam. 15m) defined by a scatter of low stones and a partially preserved low earth and stone bank (H 0.3m; Wth 0.6m) which appears to represent the remains of a small ring-cairn or robbed out burial cairn. In 1944 O'Kelly recorded the following about this monument which he speculated was; 'a doubtful site. On the ground it appears as a roughly circular complex of moss-grown stones with a diameter of 49' [15m]. It may be a circle or the remains of a small cairn, or just a fortuitous arrangement of out cropping boulders. In mapping the site the Ordnance Surveyor mistakenly located it a short distance to the SW of its true position. He then marked the true position with a cross (the symbol for the site of a vanished monument) and entered on the map beside it the words Dun Gair (site of), thus showing two sites when in fact, there should be only one. This has led to considerable confusion as it has ben called a fort by some writers and a stone circle by others. Dun Gair is one of the forts mentioned as having been fortified by Brian Boru' (O'Kelly 1944, 26). In 1912 Windle described the ring-cairn as following; 'On the extreme slope of the hill and not far from the place marked as the 'Site of Dun Gair' on the Ordnance map are the remains of a small circle unmarked by the Ordnance Survey. Almost all the stones are covered by grass, and of the few which appear none is higher than 1 foot [0.3m]. This also was a double circle 49 feet [15m] in outside diameter and with a 2 foot [0.6m] clearance to the pathway' (Windle 1912, 302). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 23 May 2018

• LI032-022032 House - prehistoric
  Description

  In mature deciduous forestry on the steep and rocky E slope of Knockadoon Peninsula. The site is located above and W of the path connecting the Black Castle (LI032-031----) to Bouchier's Castle (LI032-022034-). Site E (LI032-022032-) was excavated by Professor Seán P. Ó Ríordáin (1954, 413-5). The excavated remains form part of a wider complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement that was discovered during a campaign of archaeological excavation over 18 seasons. Archaeological excavations were conducted by Ó Ríordáin at Site I and J (LI032-022023/4-) 275m to WSW; Circle J (LI032-022020-) 365m to WSW and Circle L (LI032-022030-) 60m to W. The site is not depicted on historic OSi maps and is only visible as dense forest on both OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthophoto taken 2011-2013. Comparatively level platforms occur as a result of the stepped rock formation on the hillside. Ó Ríordáin (ibid., 413-5) described how ‘on one of these rock shelves, which was about eight yards [7.31m] broad and thirty feet [9.14m] above the path-way between the castles, three hut sites were noted. Two others stood on the next shelf ten feet [3.05m] higher up the hill. The structures, rather overgrown and not clearly defined, were indicated by rough stones enclosing rectangular spaces, one side being formed by a natural cliff face. Site E is one of the three structures on the lower platform. Its longer axis lay at right angles to the general contour of the hill. This was the more usual but not the universal disposition of these huts. The W side of the hut was formed by the rock face and its outline was shown by large blocks of stone mainly thick tabular pieces placed on edge, but in some cases fallen from their original position. The structure was about 16' long [4.88m] and 12' broad [3.61m]. Excavation was difficult because of two trees which grew immediately outside the hut in the N, and the roots of which crossed the whole site. The roots were particularly troublesome towards the NW corner of the site, hence this portion was left unexcavated’. Post-holes were identified in the floor surface with a small burnt hearth. Charcoal flecks were found everywhere on the site which was interpreted as resulting from the burning of wood and other organic material from which the building was constructed. Ó Ríordáin (ibid., 415) concluded that ‘there were no signs of intensive occupation and it seems likely that this hut, placed on the inhospitable E side of Knockadoon, was only used as a temporary shelter for a brief period. A chert leaf-shaped arrowhead and a piece of flint were found imbedded in the floor. Immediately above the floor were a fragment of pottery (the only one found), a bone point, and a whetstone’. The site was dated roughly to the pre-historic period. The site is visible as woodland on the Google Earth orthoimagetaken28/06/2018. Much of the site, including the other hut sites remain unexcavated. Cleary (2003, 99) located the two hut sites on the rock shelf above the excavated site. See attached site location map by Cleary 2003, Plate XLV(c) by Ó Ríordáin 1954 and Google Earth orthoimage. Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 25 November 2020

• LI032-022033 Fulacht fia
  Description

  In marshy wet scrub woodland in the NE corner of Lough Gur 5m S of the old shore line. Knockadoon Peninsula is located to SW. The site is located within an area of dense archaeological activity dating principally from the Neolithic and Bronze Age up to the present day around the lake (Cleary 2018). A dovecote (LI032-022029-) is located 130m to WSW; the Early Medieval settlement site known as the ‘Spectacles’ at Drumlaegh (LI032-014012-) is located 315m to NNW; a Middle Bronze Age house site (LI032-014014-) and a Food Vessel Burial (LI032-014013-) were uncovered and excavated 200m to N; a crannóg (LI032-027----) lies 110m to NW and Bourchier’s Castle (LI032-022034-) stands 120m to S. The site is not depicted on historic OSi maps nor is it visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 or on Digital Globe orthoimage taken 2011-2013. The area of burnt stone and animal bone was described by Windle in correspondence, recorded by O’Kelly (1944, 30) as follows; ’in the Windle MSS. Letters there is a mention of what appears to be Fulacht Fiadh near Bourchier’s Castle on Knockadoon, near the edge of the lake. Though the site of this could not be identified with absolute certainty, the above location is probably correct. There is nothing on the site now to indicate its presence. [Windle stated] ‘It is said that intermixed with burnt stones were numerous fragments of animal bones and a great number of large fluted teeth…………..those of the large deer whose antlers abound in the neighbourhood'. The tree and scrub woodland are visible on the former lakeshore on Google Earth orthoimages 25/03/2017 and 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 25 November 2020

• LI032-022034 Castle - tower house
  Description

  On rock outcrop, at the base of Knockadoon Hill now standing on a narrow causeway between the S shoreline of Lough Gur 190m to N, and a small lough 155m to S. Black Castle (LI032-031----) lies 515m to SSW, dovecote (LI032-022029-) 160m to NW and Bolin Island which is a crannóg (LI032-027----) lies 230m to NNW. The interior of the castle was not accessible at time of site visit. Lough Gur Castle or Castle Doon belonging to the Earls of Desmond. The name of the castle was changed in the 18th / 19th century to ‘Bourchier’s Castle’ after the family who took possession of the building in 1588. A drawing of the castle by Thomas Dineley dating from around 1680 shows that the castle stood at the base of Knockadoon Hill which was an island surrounded by water. The island/promontory of Knockadoon was accessed from the E via a long bridge defended with drawbridges. A long two storey house stood between the bridge and the tower house, with a barn and stable building to the S and a second barn to the NE. The roofed pigeon house (LI032-022029-) is depicted standing to the NW. According to Dineley the water ‘which encompasseth this Island and Castle aboundeth in Fishes, Pike, Eeles, but Roches in vast quantity’ (Shirley et. al. 1867, 196). The location of this castle was described in 1536 when Crown forces attacked and captured the ‘manor of the Earl of Desmond’s [James of Desmond] called Loghgyrr’ which was described as situated on ‘an island of fresh water, which is a stronghold’ (Cal. Carew Mss., 101). The castle located was described in this year in a second letter which stated that it ‘standeth very pleasantly upon the foot of an Island, containing 80 acres, environed with a great water and mountains, and rocks without the same; munited and warded more by nature than by man's hand’ (ibid., 103). Rectangular shaped sectionally constructed lobby entrance five storey high tower house aligned roughly E-W with pointed doorway in centre of E wall. The walls are constructed with coursed masonry with base battered walls and alternating long and short cut quoin stones. The windows consist of single light ogee-headed windows with hood mouldings over along with a four light mullioned and transomed ogee headed window of 16th century appearance. The triple light flat headed windows with holding mouldings above probably date from the late 16th / early 17th century. A straight joint running up along the S wall of the tower with the occasional tie stone indicates that the lobby entrance section of the castle was built first with the larger section of the castle tied in to the smaller section in a second building phase. This type of tower house has been described as a sectionally constructed tower house. The doorway in the centre of the E wall leads into a lobby area protected by overhead murderhole. This lobby area is defended with a guard room or porters chamber in SE angle and access to upper floors of the castle is from a spiral stairs accessed off the lobby in NE angle. The spiral stairs is lit by a series of narrow flat headed single light windows. The guard room in the SE angle has a window with circular gun port in the E wall and a second window with similar gun port in the S wall. The ground floor is accessed off this lobby area and is lit by a single light window in the centre of the S, W and N walls. The window in the S wall has been replaced by a large broken out livestock entrance gap. A small wall cupboard is visible in SW angle and NW angle of the ground floor. A garderobe outlet is visible at the base of the N wall which served garderobes from first floor level upwards in the N wall of the castle. In 1536 the castle was described as a ‘strong castle of James of Desmond’ and ‘chief fortress of the said James in the County of Limerick’ which was captured by the Lord Deputy of Ireland (Cal. Carew Mss. 103). In 1583 the castle of Lough Gur was described as a ‘large and excellent castle , in a good state of repair ; a chief house of the late Earl of Desmond, with an iron door at the entrance, strongly situated at the foot of a round, rocky hill to the east. A fishery is included, called a ' Logh,' replete with river fish. The castle in itself includes nine separate rooms . . . and a barbican, built of stone, at an angle of which is a little round turret for defence. There are two entrances, that at the east by a narrow ‘causea' [causeway] and two doors; the other to the south-west, where is another small castle or peel. An island, an orchard, a garden, and divers other edifices or cottages, with gardens adjoining (where dwell divers tenants)’ (Westropp 1907, 179-80). Castle described in 1903 as following; ‘Castledoon is an oblong structure of the fifteenth century, and is built, like many castles of the period, in two sections, but on the same foundations, which have a considerable batter for about five feet [1.5m] over the surface. The portion of the castle containing the doorway and stair case, about one-third of the whole structure, springs clear and independent from the foundation, with quoin stones at the four angles. These quoins are, at intervals, bonded into the rest of the structure, and the interior walls are bonded by thorough stones where possible. All the storeys have grouted, arched floors. The stairs, as is usual, wind from right to left’ (Barry 1903, 196-7). In 1906-07 the castle was described as following; ‘Castledoon or Bourchier’s Castle. A peel tower, 49 feet [15m] by 33½ feet [10m] outside, 75 feet [22.85m] high, and well preserved. There are five stories in the usual two sections, the narrower with stairs and porch : each of the lower stories is vaulted; the third and fourth have rectangular, shafted windows. The causeway was 144 yards [131m] long across the boggy shallows of the lake’ (Westropp 1906-7, 180-1). In recent times the castle was described by Donnelly (1998, 28) as following; ‘Bourchier's Castle is a particularly fine example where a sectional tower house has survived without later alterations. The building displays the classic form of the genre. The spiral staircase and subsidiary chamber that occupies one-third of the castle is built as a unit, with its own corner quoins, and is bonded into the remainder of the building that accommodates the main chamber block by means of projecting stone slabs or 'through-stones'. Tower house described by Salter (1993, 67) as following; ‘It has five storeys, plus a chamber below ground, and measures 15.6m by 10.9m. The entrance lies in the south end wall containing a tier of chambers which was begun before the rest of the tower. Three and two light windows on the third and fourth storeys suggest a 16th century date. The castle covered the NE approach to Knockadoon, which was almost enclosed by Lough Gur’. In 1680 Thomas Dineley recorded the presence of an armorial plaque belonging to the Bourchier family located inside the castle which he described as following; ‘Thus blazon'd, he beareth Argent a Cross engrailed Gules, between four Water bowgetts sable. This was the coat Armor of John Bourchier Lord Fitz-warin of Tawstock in Devonshire (son of Foulke Bourchier Lord Fitz Warin, and of his wife Elizabeth, second sister and Coheire of John Lord Dinham, Lord High Trer of England under Henry VII, which Foulk was son of Richard Bourchier, Lord Fitz Warin, in right of his wife Thomasin, daughter and heire of Sr Richard Hankford and of his wife Elizabeth, daughter and heire of Foulke Fitz Warin, last Lord Fitzwarin, of that Family, which William Bourchier was younger son of William Bourchier Earle of Ewe in Normandy, and younger brother to Henry Bourchier first Earle of Essex) was the 9. of June 1536 created Earle of Bath, by Henry 8, in the 28. yeer of his reign; he died the 27. Ap. 1539, and 31 of Henry VIII., who marryed, &c. From hence is descended that truly noble Knt. Sr Henry Bouchier, or of this Family, & a carefull and diligent searcher

• LI032-022035 Megalithic structure
  Description

  In pasture, possibly a former orchard. The ‘site of’ the megalithic structure is located within a paddock on the SE side of Bourchier’s Castle (LI032-022034-) within Loughgur Farm (NIAH Reg. No. 21903209) on lower NE edge of Knockadoon Peninsula. The castle (LI032-022034-) is located within farm buildings 60m to NW; the 19th century house is located 50m to SW; two crannóga (LI032-039001/2-) annotated 'Balie Islands' are located in a drained section of Lough Gur 200m to SE; a bullaun stone (LI032-038----) is located 150m to NE and the site of two medieval houses excavated in 1977 (LI032-036001/2-) are located 125m to NE. The site is not depicted on OSi historic maps. It is not clearly visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 or on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. The site was first referenced in the early 19th century (Croker 1833, 1010) who referred to a stone circle near Bourchier’s Castle. More recently O'Kelly (1944, 27) described the site but recorded that it ‘is not a circle. It is an acute angle (of about 60 degree) enclosed by two lines of stones which have a standings stone at the apex. It is not now possible to say what this structure was. The standings stone is 5’ high [1.52m] and leans considerably to the S. The other boulders are about 1’6” high [0.46m]’. Ó Ríordáin (1954, 459 and Plate XII) labelled it ‘Site 15’, mapped the location and described it as ‘standing stones and mound’. The location identified on the Goole Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020is based on Ó Ríordáin (1954, Plate XII). See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 25 November 2020

• LI032-022036 House - prehistoric
  Description

  National monument in state ownership No. 247. Situated on Knockadoon overlooking Lough Gur from S through W to N in an area with a rich concentration of prehistoric monuments. Square-shaped prehistoric house site adjacent to NNE side of later kerbed enclosure (LI032-022028-) with rectangular house (LI032-022011-) in centre of enclosure. Five prehistoric burials (LI032-022037-) were excavated adjacent to the square-shaped house site. Prehistoric enclosure listed in 1912 by Windle as Circle K. Recorded as House No. 1 by Ó Ríordáin who excavated the monument in 1940 (No. E000252). Square-shaped prehistoric house site which predated the kerbed enclosure (LI032-022028-) with the remains of a contemporaneous rectangular-shaped house (LI032-022011-). Prehistoric enclosure described by O'Kelly (1944, 25-6) as following; 'This is the largest circle (LI032-022028-) on Knockadoon its diameter being 102' [31m]. It is composed of two concentric rings of stones placed close together leaving an annular space between, which is filled with rubble. The entrance is on the E side. Excavation by Ó Ríordáin showed that there had been four wooden posts terminating the ends of the circle at the entrance passage'. House No. 1 was described as following; 'On north-eastern side of site, in natural, saucer-well defined but structural details were not forthcoming. The house is almost square (7.25m east/west and 6.65m north/south). On northern side plan is provided by bank of gravel, 10cm high, with irregular row of stones set on top of it. The gravel bank also occurs on eastern side but here there are no stones in situ, except at southern end where there, is a line of stones but no bank. There are also a few post-holes on northern and eastern sides. On the other two sides the walls are defined by post-holes only; they are particularly numerous on southern side. Professor Ó Ríordáin suggested in his typescript report that part of the southern wall underlay the gravel bank supporting the enclosure wall (see below), but this would mean incorporating post-holes 9-11 and 22, making the overall plan implausible, as it would have been extremely irregular on this side. Similarly Nos 3, 6 and 23 are not easily accommodated as containing major structural components, but may, like the previous three, have been auxiliary props. There are two obvious gaps in the walls, on the northern and eastern sides (1m and 1.5m wide respectively). Either may have been the original entrance. Internally a large post-pit (No. 1) and a smaller post-hole (No. 17) provided support for the roof. The discrepancy in the relative sizes of these two features is not readily explained unless the roof was higher on the northern side, in which case the entrance would have been here also. A hearth, 90cm by 60cm, in the south-western corner consisted of a 15cm deep accumulation of charcoal and burnt earth lying on a flat, much blackened projection of rock. In this area also there was an irregular floor of cobbles; throughout the rest of the house rough gravel provided the floor, apart from one limited area of paving near the southern wall. Associated with the house and extending beyond it on the northern side and beneath the gravel bank supporting the enclosure wall to the south was a layer of habitation debris up to 30cm deep. It was thicker and more homogeneous inside the house and is clearly occupation material associated with activity in the structure. The upper portion had been disturbed, perhaps when the enclosure wall was constructed or more probably at a later stage after the introduction of Beaker. At this time some Beaker pottery became incorporated in the disturbed material and sherds from other vessels were redeposited at a higher level'(341-2). The results of the 1940 excavation were summarised by Grogan as following, 'There were two main phases at Circle K, the first consisting of an unprotected house and the second of an enclosed habitation site. There was no evidence for any discontinuity or a time-lapse between the two phases. The earlier house, No. 1, and the area immediately around it were associated with western neolithic (35 per cent) and coarse flat-bottomed pottery (55 per cent). (All percentages are based on sherd counts.) While some Beaker came from this area, it was all at a high level and was almost certainly intrusive. After the house had gone out of use the enclosure wall was constructed. This necessitated the erection of a gravel bank over the hollow in which House 1 had stood to provide a level foundation for the wall of the circle. The bulk of the pottery from the wall fill, which was derived from the pre-enclosure occupation, was coarse flat-bottomed ware (93 per cent) but there pottery (6 per cent) and three sherds of Beaker, which rebuilding of the wall is evident on the northern side took place during its period of use' (Grogan et. al. 1987, 383-4). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 3 July 2018

• LI032-022037 Burial
  Description

  National monument in state ownership No. 247. Situated on Knockadoon overlooking Lough Gur from S through W to N in an area with a rich concentration of prehistoric monuments. Five inhumation burials were excavated adjacent to a square-shaped prehistoric house site (LI032-022036-) immediately NNE of a later kerbed enclosure (LI032-022028-) with rectangular house (LI032-022011-). Prehistoric enclosure listed in 1912 by Windle as Circle K. The burials excavated by Ó Ríordáin in 1940 (No. E000252). Prehistoric enclosure described by O'Kelly (1944, 25-6) as following; 'This is the largest circle (LI032-022028-) on Knockadoon its diameter being 102' [31m]. It is composed of two concentric rings of stones placed close together leaving an annular space between, which is filled with rubble. The entrance is on the E side. Excavation by Ó Ríordáin showed that there had been four wooden posts terminating the ends of the circle at the entrance passage'. Grogan (1987, 336-42) gave the following account of the 1940 excavation results; 'According to Professor Ó Ríordáin, in a typescript report of 1940, the earliest activity at Circle K (LI032-022028-) consists of a small number of inhumation burials on the north eastern side of the site immediately outside the enclosure wall. However, apart from burial 2, which appears to have underlain one of the post-holes of the square house (No. 1, see below), there is no clear evidence that the burials pre-date the house itself. Nos 3 and 4 do appear to be earlier than the enclosure wall, while No. 1 may have been inserted into the habitation layer overlying the house floor. There is no information to indicate the relative stratigraphical position of burial 5, but it is included here for convenience. Burial No. 1 : Very disturbed; only skull and some vertebrate fragments found at base of an upright of outer ring of enclosure and in upper level of habitation layer overlying floor of House 1 (LI032-022036-). Area covered by burial 28cm by 25cm, no indication of pit. Dr Inkster reported that these were 'a handful of very broken fragments of a child's skeleton. The halves of the neural arches have fused, indicating an age of over one year'. The dental report indicates an approximate age of two years. Burial No. 2: On the south-western side of house, in crouched position, on right side with head to north-east (away from enclosure), left hand close to the face, right hand extended under body, arm and leg bones in a parallel mass close to femur, feet against of femur, patella near where chin should be. Fragments of an infant's ribs and a toe phalange beneath femur were also found. Burial from below patch of rough limestone gravel forming part of house floor. Part of skeleton underlay one of wall post-holes. Burial No. 3 : In crushed heap on flat slab of limestone against which the feet of burial 2 were laid, slat partly covered by projecting stone set in earthen bank supporting the circle uprights. Crushed fragments of skull, some vertebrae and other fragments were found beneath outer ring of enclosure. Some bones, including portions of the skull, overlapped the edge of the slab on southern and western sides, apparently confused with remains of burial 4. Burial No. 4: A few fragments of skull and other bones on adjoining flat slab, at right angles to burial 3 and at foot of burial 2. Burial No. 5 : A deposit of poorly preserved bones, 12cm deep, in a natural triangular hollow in bedrock on northern edge of house, covered by black earth mixed with animal bone fragments up to 45cm deep and about 18cm diameter'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 3 July 2018

• LI032-022038 Earthwork
  Description

  In area of rock-outcrop on the E shoreline of Lough Gur. Sunken-circular shaped area (diam. c. 25m) visible on Digital Globe orthoimage taken between 2011-13. Could be the remains of a quarry due its location in area of rock outcrop. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Maureen O'Leary Date of upload: 22 November 2022

• LI032-024001 Church
  Description

  National Monument standing in NW quadrant of rectangular shaped graveyard overlooking the S shoreline of Lough Gur 50m to N. Well preserved ruins of a rectangular (LI032-024002-) multi-period church with belfry on W gable and destroyed sacristy (approx. ext. dims. 5.4m E-W x 3.1m N-S) on NE angle. The church was probably built in the late 15th/16th century as a chapel of ease for the Earl of Desmonds residing in the medieval castle (LI032-022034-) at Lough Gur located 1.1km to the NNE. The medieval church was substantially modified in the late 17th century by the Countess of Bath who rebuilt the E and W ends of the medieval building around 1679. During this rebuilding phase a small square-shaped sacristy was built onto the NE angle of the church, a belfry was added to the W gable and a six-light transom and mullioned window now destroyed was inserted into the S wall. Photograph of 1903 (Barry 1903, 195) shows ruins of church before it was restored in the early 1900s by the Count De Salis who repointed the walls and inserted a glazed plaque of the Madonna and Child over the S doorway of the church (O’Kelly 1944, 30). Present remains consist of a rectangular church (ext. dims. 19.3m E-W; 8.85m N-S; wall T 1.15m) entered through a pointed doorway (Wth 1.04m; H 1.9m) of late medieval date located off centre to W in S wall with blocked up doorway opposite in N wall. The walls of the church are built with rubble masonry with alternating long and short cut limestone quoins. A base batter is visible on the E gable of the church. A large gap at the W end of the S wall represents the remains of a collapsed window opening. Directly inside the doorway in the S wall are the remains of a flat-headed aumbry or wall cupboard (dims. 0.7m Wth x 0.86m H x 0.44m D) with lime plastered interior. Good evidence of internal lime render visible on N, S and E wall of church. To the E of the doorway in the S wall are the remains of a broken out six-light transom and mullioned window of 17th century date that was described in 1840. At the E end of the S wall are the remains of a late medieval single light ogee-headed window with hood-moulding above. In the centre of the E wall there is a late medieval twin-light traceried window with glazing groove set into a round-headed window embrasure with cut stone surround. The window is now missing its tracery and central mullion with two hanging-eyes visible which carried a twin leaf wooden shutter. The external face of the E gable displays ribbon pointing which probably dates from the repair work carried out in the early 1900s by the landlord Sir John Francis Charles de Salis, 7th Count de Salis who was born in Hillingdon, Middlesex, England and resided for a time at Grange Hill (Lough Gur House), Co. Limerick. A burial vault of post-medieval date has been inserted into the SE corner of the church cutting across the late medieval ogee-headed window. Directly across in the NE corner of the church, a second vaulted mausoleum has been inserted. This mausoleum was rebuilt by Richard Ievers of Greenpark, Bruff for his wife Elizabeth who died in 1825. The vaulted structure was built across the flat-headed doorway which gave access to the sacristy on the NE angle of the church. The dressed coping stones of the A-shaped sacristy roof are clearly visible protruding from the external face of the N wall of the church. A doorway embrasure in the centre of the N has been blocked up by the insertion of a memorial plaque of Anne Croker alias Devine who died in 1846. A window opening appears to have been blocked up at the W end of the N when a burial plot was inserted into this corner. A late medieval single light round-headed window with glazing groove is visible in the centre of the W wall with a round-headed belfry rising from the apex of the gable. In 1840 the Ordnance Survey Letters recorded the following about the church; ‘It is well built and measures on the inside 56 ft. 6 in. [17.2m] in length and 21 ft. 6 in. [6.5m] in breadth. The window in the east gable is semi-circular at top and measures on the inside 10 feet [3m] in height and 5 ft.6 in. [1.7m] in width; and on the outside 7 ft. 11 in. [2.4m] in height and 2 ft. 2½ in. [0.7m] in width; on the outside it is divided into two compartments (each division being pointed at top and 11 inches in width) is placed at the height of 8 feet [2.4m] from the ground. All this window is built of cut lime stones. At the distance of 3 feet [0.9m] from the east gable the south wall contains a window which is rectangular on the inside and pointed on the outside. On the inside it measures 5 feet [1.5m] in height and 3 ft. [0.9m] in width and on the outside 3ft. 5 in. [1m] in height and 6 inches [0.15m] in width. It is constructed of cut limestone on the outside. At the distance of 7 ft. 4 in. [2.25m] from this window the same wall contains another window of much larger dimensions; it is disfigured on the inside but in tolerable preservation on the outside where it is of an oblong quadrangular form measuring 5 ft. 7 in. [1.7m] by 4 ft. 6 in. [1.4m]. It is divided into six compartments each measuring 1 ft. 4in. [0.4m] in width. The doorway is placed on the same [south] wall at the distance of 21 ft. 7in. [6.6m] from the west gable. It measures on the inside 7 ft. 2in. [2.2m] in height and 4 ft. 3in. [1.3m] in width, and on the outside 6ft. 4in. [1.9m] in height and 3ft. 5in. [1m] in width; on the inside this doorway forms a flat arch and on the outside a round one, and is built of cut limestone on both side. Between the doorway and the west gable and placed within 8 feet [2.4m] of the latter there was a large window but it is now reduced to a formless breach in the wall. The west gable is surmounted with a round Belfry consisting of one round arch and also a small window place at the height of 10 feet [3m] from the ground and measuring on the outside about 4 feet [1.2m] in height and 7 inches [0.17m] in width. It is quadrangular on the inside and round headed on the outside. The walls of this church are about 12 feet [3.65m] high and exactly 4 feet [1.2m] thick and built of stones of a regular size cemented with lime and sand mortar. There is a large graveyard [LI032-024001-] attached to this church but not much in use at present’(RIA MSS 14/D/18/14(iv)). According to Fitzgerald and McGregor (1826, 311) the Countess of bath ‘built a very handsome chapel of ease, called new Church, on the S side of the lake; she also granted an endowment of £20 sterling per annum, which is in the gift of the Count de Salis, to whom the estate belongs in right of his mother, a daughter of Lord Fane. The chalice and patten which the Countess of Bath bestowed on this chapel are now in the parish church of Knockaney [now Emly], and on them is the following inscription; “The gift of the Right Hon. Rachel, Countess Dowager of Bath to her Chapel in the Kingdom of Ireland, Ann. Dom. 1679”. Barry (1903, 195) suggested that the church was a chapel of ease built by the Desmond family of Lough Gur Castle and contemporaneous with the medieval tower house (LI032-022034-). Westropp (1904-5, 448-9) also suggested that the church was first built in the medieval period and rebuilt c. 1679. He recorded the following about the chapel; ‘It is usually stated that it was "founded by Rachel, widow of Henry, Earl of Bath," 1679 ; but the chapel is shown in the map of 1590 (probably by Jobson ; it is 56 of the Hardiman set, T.C.D.)’. To see a 3D model of the church doorway, visit; https://skfb.ly/oyTUI Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 9 July 2018

• LI032-024002 Graveyard
  Description

  National Monument standing on rock outcrop overlooking the S shoreline of Lough Gur 50m to N. Rectangular shaped graveyard (approx. dims. 30m N-S; 73m E-W; wall T 0.45m; H 1.2m) with medieval church ruins (LI032-024001-) in NW quadrant which is enclosed by a 19th century stone wall with entrance stile at SE corner. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 9 July 2018

• LI032-025 Road - road/trackway
  Description

  In pasture on the S side of Lough Gur 80m NE of the medieval church and graveyard (LI032-024001/2-) and 22m E of a limekiln. The road/trackway is orientated roughly N-S and can be traced from the lake edge to a point 30m SW of the fort known as Carriggalla or Carriganaffrin (LI032-028----). The line of the trackway crosses the Red Bog from the NE to SW where the line of the road can be traced 130m W of an enclosure (LI032-186----) in Ballynagallagh townland. The road survives as far S as Kilballyowen townland where it is 170m NE of an earthwork (LI032-217----). The road is not depicted on the OSi historic maps. Sections of the road are visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12, however it is less clear on the Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. The N section of the road is described and illustrated by Crofton Croker (1833, 109), he states that it is ‘a serpentine passage formed by parallel stones, which terminates in the Red Bog’. The linear earthwork is visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 28/06/2018 as a slightly sunken road (ext. diam. 9m) lined on either side by low bank. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 12 November 2020

• LI032-026001 Settlement platform
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Three small oval-shaped circular stone settings (LI032-026001-/002-/003-) annotated as 'Stone Circles' on the 1903 ed. OS 25-inch map are shown standing on the present SE shoreline of Lough Gur. These three monuments were located on the water of Lough Gur before the water level of the lake was lowered in the 19th century and probably represent the remains of a small crannog cairn or settlement platform built on Lough Gur. On the 25-inch map two of the so called 'Stone Circles' (LI032-026001-/002-) are depicted as conjoined with the third circle (LI032-026003-) standing 25m to NE. Listed in 1912 as Site G and described by Windle as following: 'Continuing along this road past the so-called New Church [LI032-024001-], which is now in ruins, at its northern side by the margin of the lake are certain groups of stones described in the Ordnance map as "Stone Circles". After a careful examination of these objects, I have come to the conclusion that they are purely natural stones, and for these reasons. Before the lake was drained, and at the time when the Black Castle [LI032-031----] was erected, it is quite clear that this piece of ground must have been under water ; otherwise the defences of that castle, as at present to be seen, would have been without value or significance. In fact, it is still so at times ; for a resident in the neighbourhood told me that he had seen the water up to the wall between the stones and the road, and had himself fished over the place where the stones are' (Windle 1912, 295). In 1833 these three 'stone circles' were described as following; 'Three circles, however, are quite evident. That marked No. 1 [LI032-026003-], is twenty yards in diameter, and at present consists of fifteen stones, No. 2 [LI032-026002-] is thirteen yards in diameter, and I counted eight stones; from this to the water, two parallel lines of similar stones extend. No. 3 [LI032-026001-] measures eight yards in diameter, and consists of seven stones. Between this and the New church, a serpentine passage [LI032-025----], formed by parallel stones, may be traced, which terminates in the Red Bog, a track of low ground about a quarter of a mile in breadth. Beyond (that is to say, to the east of) the circle, No. 1, H [LI032-029----], several very large masses of stone appear mixed with smaller ones, but I was unable to define any particular form; and still further along the shore of the lake, two circles, and other remains, are to be discerned' (Croker 1833, 109). 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: 23 May 2018

• LI032-026002 Settlement platform
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Three small oval-shaped circular stone settings (LI032-026001-/002-/003-) annotated as 'Stone Circles' on the 1903 ed. OS 25-inch map are shown standing on the present SE shoreline of Lough Gur. These three monuments were located on the water of Lough Gur before the water level of the lake was lowered in the 19th century and probably represent the remains of a small crannog cairn or settlement platform built on Lough Gur. On the 25-inch map two of the so called 'Stone Circles' (LI032-026001-/002-) are depicted as conjoined with the third circle (LI032-026003-) standing 25m to NE. Listed in 1912 as Site G and described by Windle as following: 'Continuing along this road past the so-called New Church [LI032-024001-], which is now in ruins, at its northern side by the margin of the lake are certain groups of stones described in the Ordnance map as "Stone Circles". After a careful examination of these objects, I have come to the conclusion that they are purely natural stones, and for these reasons. Before the lake was drained, and at the time when the Black Castle [LI032-031----] was erected, it is quite clear that this piece of ground must have been under water ; otherwise the defences of that castle, as at present to be seen, would have been without value or significance. In fact, it is still so at times ; for a resident in the neighbourhood told me that he had seen the water up to the wall between the stones and the road, and had himself fished over the place where the stones are' (Windle 1912, 295). In 1833 these three 'stone circles' were described as following; 'Three circles, however, are quite evident. That marked No. 1 [LI032-026003-], is twenty yards in diameter, and at present consists of fifteen stones, No. 2 [LI032-026002-] is thirteen yards in diameter, and I counted eight stones; from this to the water, two parallel lines of similar stones extend. No. 3 [LI032-026001-] measures eight yards in diameter, and consists of seven stones. Between this and the New church, a serpentine passage [LI032-025----], formed by parallel stones, may be traced, which terminates in the Red Bog, a track of low ground about a quarter of a mile in breadth. Beyond (that is to say, to the east of) the circle, No. 1, H [LI032-029----], several very large masses of stone appear mixed with smaller ones, but I was unable to define any particular form; and still further along the shore of the lake, two circles, and other remains, are to be discerned' (Croker 1833, 109). 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: 23 May 2018

• LI032-026003 Settlement platform
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Three small oval-shaped circular stone settings (LI032-026001-/002-/003-) annotated as 'Stone Circles' on the 1903 ed. OS 25-inch map are shown standing on the present SE shoreline of Lough Gur. These three monuments were located on the water of Lough Gur before the water level of the lake was lowered in the 19th century and probably represent the remains of a small crannog cairn or settlement platform built on Lough Gur. On the 25-inch map two of the so called 'Stone Circles' (LI032-026001-/002-) are depicted as conjoined with the third circle (LI032-026003-) standing 25m to NE. Listed in 1912 as Site G and described by Windle as following: 'Continuing along this road past the so-called New Church [LI032-024001-], which is now in ruins, at its northern side by the margin of the lake are certain groups of stones described in the Ordnance map as "Stone Circles". After a careful examination of these objects, I have come to the conclusion that they are purely natural stones, and for these reasons. Before the lake was drained, and at the time when the Black Castle [LI032-031----] was erected, it is quite clear that this piece of ground must have been under water ; otherwise the defences of that castle, as at present to be seen, would have been without value or significance. In fact, it is still so at times ; for a resident in the neighbourhood told me that he had seen the water up to the wall between the stones and the road, and had himself fished over the place where the stones are' (Windle 1912, 295). In 1833 these three 'stone circles' were described as following; 'Three circles, however, are quite evident. That marked No. 1 [LI032-026003-], is twenty yards in diameter, and at present consists of fifteen stones, No. 2 [LI032-026002-] is thirteen yards in diameter, and I counted eight stones; from this to the water, two parallel lines of similar stones extend. No. 3 [LI032-026001-] measures eight yards in diameter, and consists of seven stones. Between this and the New church, a serpentine passage [LI032-025----], formed by parallel stones, may be traced, which terminates in the Red Bog, a track of low ground about a quarter of a mile in breadth. Beyond (that is to say, to the east of) the circle, No. 1, H [LI032-029----], several very large masses of stone appear mixed with smaller ones, but I was unable to define any particular form; and still further along the shore of the lake, two circles, and other remains, are to be discerned' (Croker 1833, 109). It is possible that these stone settings are entirely natural with no archaeological significance, Ó Ríordáin 91949, 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: 23 May 2018

• LI032-027 Crannog
  Description

  The crannóg known as 'Bolin Island' is in the NE corner of Lough Gur 40m N of the old shore linked by marshy ground. Knockadoon Peninsula lies to the SW. The site is located within an area of dense archaeological activity dating principally from the Neolithic and Bronze Age up to the present day around the lake (Cleary 2018). A dovecote (LI032-022029-) is located 100m to SSW. The Early Medieval settlement site known as the ‘Spectacles’ at Drumlaegh (LI032-014012-) is located 210m to NNE; a Middle Bronze Age house site (LI032-014014-) and a Food Vessel Burial (LI032-014013-) were uncovered and excavated 145m to NE. The crannóg is annotated 'Boilin Island' on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map. Drainage in the mid-19th century reduced the lake level by 1.5m. The island is visible as a circular island on the OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013 (ext. diam. 35m N-S; 34m E-W). A crannóg in Lough Gur is referenced in the medieval text Cogadh Gaedhel re Gallaibh (Todd 1867, 141). Archaeologists and antiquarians have referenced crannóga in the lake (O'Kelly and O'Kelly, 1978, 14; Ó Ríordáin 1953/4, 459) although it is unclear in some instances (Wood-Martin, 1886, 6, 25, 26 and 83) whether they are describing Boilin Island (LI032-027----), Garret Island (LI032-018----) or Crock Island (LI032-012----). Boilin Island was first described by O’Kelly (1944, 29) as ‘no longer a complete island. Since the partial drainage of the lake it has become connected to the mainland on the S side. It was constructed by dropping boulders into the water in the form of a circle, and when these came to the surface, the central hollow was filled up with layers of brush wood and earth, the overall diameter is 90 feet (27.43m)’. Wood-Martin has identified many high status Bronze Age and later finds from the lake such as the Lough Gur shield and a gold decorated spear head (ibid., 218, 264 and 219). The outline of a tree and scrub-covered island stands close to the shoreline where winter high water separates the site from the lakeshore visible on Google Earth orthoimages 05/04/2006 and 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 13 November 2020

• LI032-028 Ringfort - unclassified
  Description

  Situated on elevated rocky land with commanding views from E-S-W, higher ground to N. Good view of S shoreline of Lough Gur 300m to WNW. New Church (LI032-024001-) and graveyard (LI032-024002-) located 280m to the WNW with Ballynagallagh Nunnery (LI032-043002-) visible 690m to SW. Large rock outcrop depicted on 1st ed. OS 6-inch map as a circular shaped enclosure annotated as 'Carriggalla Fort'. On the revised 1927 ed. OS 6-inch the name of the rock has been changed from 'Carrigalla Fort' to 'Carriganaffrin' meaning the 'Mass Rock'. Probably the remains of a stone fort or cashel that was reused as a mass rock (LI032-028001-) by local people in penal times. It has been suggested that this fort was one of the Royal forts of Ireland and was identified by Crofton Croker as the site of Uillcan Eatan (Barry 1900, 374; Croker 1833, 109). The top of the rock outcrop is covered in scrub vegetation and is not accessible, there is a small cave like recess on the SW face of the rock which may have served as a shelter for the altar. There are no surface remains visible of any enclosing element around the base of the rock that would correspond with the depiction of the 'fort' on the first edition OS 6-inch map. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 5 July 2018

• LI032-028001 Mass-rock
  Description

  Situated on elevated rocky land with commanding views from E-S-W, higher ground to N. Good view of S shoreline of Lough Gur 300m to WNW. New Church (LI032-024001-) and graveyard (LI032-024002-) located 280m to the WNW with Ballynagallagh Nunnery (LI032-043002-) visible 690m to SW. Large rock outcrop depicted on 1st ed. OS 6-inch map as a circular shaped enclosure annotated as 'Carriggalla Fort'. On the revised 1927 ed. OS 6-inch the name of the rock has been changed from 'Carrigalla Fort' to 'Carriganaffrin' meaning the 'Mass Rock'. Probably the remains of a stone fort or cashel that was reused as a mass rock by local people in penal times. Monument described by O'Kelly (1944, 28) as a 'high limestone rock knoll called Carriganaffrin on the OS map. It is said locally the Mass as celebrated in a crevice in its west side during Penal times'. In 1826 the following account was given; 'On the S. side of Lough Gur, is a very large and high rock full of chasms and hollows, called in Irish, the Mass Rock; which name it received from the circumstance of Mass being said in a hollow of this rock, during the Civil Wars of the 17th century, when its public celebration was prohibited by the English parliament' (Fitzgerald and McGregor 1826, 315). The top of the rock outcrop is covered in scrub vegetation and is not accessible, there is a small cave like recess on the SW face of the rock which may have served as a shelter for the altar. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 5 July 2018

• LI032-029 Megalithic tomb - wedge tomb
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Wedge tomb described by de Valera and Ó Nualláin (1982, No. 4) as following: The tomb lies about 70m from the eastern margin of Lough Gur on the slope of a small hill which rises south-westwards to a height of about 400 ft. O.D. The soil in the vicinity is fairly shallow, with limestone outcrops. It provides excellent pasture and supports well-grown trees. This well-preserved tomb was fully excavated in 1938 as one item in a long series of excavations which had been conducted during the years 1936-1949 in the neighbourhood of Lough Gur. It consists of a gallery, about 8.85m in length orientated approximately NW-SE, divided by a fine septal-slab into a portico and main chamber. A closely set outer wall is virtually intact along the south side. A similar walling is represented along the north side by two orthostats and four large slabs which seem to have collapsed outwards. Between the chamber sides and the outer-wall was a packing of small stones. Four roofstones cover the main chamber and a large slab found prostrate in front of the entrance may well have been the roof-stone of the portico. At the conclusion of the excavation this stone was set upright, blocking the entrance to the portico. The portico is 1.75 m long and narrows from 1.35m wide at the entrance to 1.05m at the septal. It seems to have been about 1.3m high. The displaced roofstone measures about1.8m by 1.25m and is 0.45m thick. The septal is a fine stone, keyed into the gallery walls, and completely closing off the portico from the main chamber. It measures 2.2m long, 1.25m high and 0.75m thick. The main chamber is about 6.5m long, 1.5m wide at the septal and 1.2m wide near its eastern end. Five sidestones form the southern side and four are present on the north. Most of the side-stones lean slightly towards the north in accord with the general slope of the ground from south down to north. The southern side of the gallery extends about 1m further than the northern side and it is probable therefore that an orthostat is missing at the eastern end of the north side. A large slab, found prostrate in the eastern end of the chamber, may have been a backstone. The orthostats of the main chamber decline in height from west to east. The chamber was about 1.35m high at the west and 0.7m high at the east, measuring from roof to subsoil. The western roofstone, which measures about 2m by 1.7m and 0.5m thick, was displaced towards the north-west and rested over the north-west corner of the main chamber. The next roofstone is in position above the chamber. It measures approximately 2.2m by 1.25m wide and is 0.5m thick. The third roofstone was displaced. Its northern end still rests on a sidestone but its southern end lay on the fill within the chamber. It measures about 1.5m by 1.2m and is 0.35m thick. Near the south side of the gallery was a small upright stone which the excavators suggested would have acted as a support for the southern side of the roofstone. Since the length of the roofstone would be barely adequate to span the chamber such an explanation is, perhaps, probable. The fourth roofstone, over the eastern end of the chamber, is supported, at the south, on a padstone placed on top of the sidestone. This roofstone measures about 1.5m by 0.9m and is 0.35m thick. Like the adjoining roofstone, this slab is barely sufficient in length to span the chamber and the padstone assists in bridging the gap. The orthostats of the outer-wall on the southern side were upright save for one at the eastern end which was tilted southwards out of its socket. They are about equal in height to the gallery sidestones. The outer-wall follows the chamber sides closely, the average gap between being about 0.25m. The two orthostats still in position on the north side indicate that here also the gap between the outer-wall and chamber sides was small. The other outer-wall stones on this side had fallen outwards. Along the south side of the gallery the soil had accumulated leaving only about 0.35m of the orthostats exposed while at the north, where the ground fell away, the orthostats were exposed to a greater depth. The chamber contained a filling of small closely packed stones. The western portion had been considerably disturbed and no finds other than bone fragments and charcoal were discovered here. Under the two eastern roofstones, human bones and a considerable amount of pottery was found. A piece of human skull and some other bone fragments lay under the collapsed stone in the east end of the chamber. In the portico, under a prostrate slab, human bones and pottery were found. At a slightly lower level, under another slab, a small cist, some 0.4m by 0.4m, set at old ground level contained cremated bone and pottery. Directly under this cist a sherd of pottery and a piece of bone were found. A variety of potsherds occurred throughout the filling of the portico. Further pottery was found in the filling between the outer-wall and gallery sides. Most of the pottery was found outside the tomb. Beaker was the predominant type both within the gallery and outside it. This ware came from the main chamber, the portico and wall filling, but by far the greatest quantity was found outside the gallery, mainly to the south and west, at a high level. Very few sherds of the Neolithic A tradition were found but coarse wares were well represented. Food-vessel was also present as was Encrusted Urn. A quantity of coarse ware was found near a hearth to the south of the gallery. The flint recovered was mainly small waste flakes and scrapers of pebble flint. One small chip of a polished stone axe may have been used as a scraper. Secondary finds included a mould for a leaf-shaped spearhead and fragments of a crucible. Most of the human skeletal remains were unburnt. At least eight adults were recognised from the bones in the main chamber. Other adult remains came from the wallfilling and from outside the gallery. Besides these, four children were represented by bones found in the main chamber and immediately outside the gallery. The cremated bones from the cist in the portico were probably, but not certainly, human. The only identifiable cremated remains were a fragments of a skull from the main chamber and a hand-bone found south of the gallery. Though a considerable area around the gallery was excavated no clear cairn edge was noted. It is likely that many of the stones found within the area examined belonged to the cairn but the general stony nature of the soil and the friable limestone that underlies it, made it difficult to recognise cairn stones from others deposited naturally or by other causes such as tillage'. See linked document with details from Ruaidhrí de Valera and Seán Ó Nualláin, Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume IV. Counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary. (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1982) Date of upload: 4 January 2012

• LI032-030 Megalithic structure
  Description

  The ‘site of’ the megalithic structure is located close to a field boundary 130m SE of Lough Gur in an area covered by trees. Located 60m SE of the Lough Gur Wedge Tomb (LI030-029----); 270m NNE of the fort known as Carriganaffrin (LI032-028----) and 125m W of a standing stone (LI032-032----). A large boulder annotated 'Carriganeithig' lies 100m to NE. The site is not depicted on any ed. OSi historic maps. It is not visible on the OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 or on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. The site was first referenced in the early 19th century (Croker 1833, 109). Dowd (1896, 78) stated that, ‘A second giant's grave (LI032-030----) was to be found two hundred yards west of this (LI032-029----), but it is now barely distinguishable’. Begley (1906, 21) described a destroyed monument close to the Lough Gur Wedge Tomb ‘near the south end of the Causeway, leading to the Black Castle, at Lough Gur, there is a fine specimen (LI032-029----) still in good preservation, and near it another (LI032-030----) is barely visible’. More recently O'Kelly (1944, 24) recorded that he was ‘very doubtful’ about the site and it is not included in the Megalithic Survey for Co. Limerick either as a known or potential monument (De Valera and Ó Nualláin, 1982, 71-9). The supposed location of the monument is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 16/03/2016 and 28/06/2018. Dowd’s description of the monument suggested that the site could be located c. 200m W of the Lough Gur Wedge Tomb (LI032-029----). See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 13 November 2020

• LI032-031 Castle - tower house
  Description

  National Monument subject to a preservation order placed on the monument in 1976. Impressive castle known as Black Castle standing on the E shoreline of Lough Gur at the base of Knockadoon Hill with Lough Gur Castle (Bourchier's Castle) (LI032-022034-) 550m to N, site of Killalough Church (LI032-033----) 160m to SS and New Church (LI032-024001-) 510m to SSW. The castle stands on the E shoreline of Lough Gur with marshy land to W which prior to drainage works carried out in the 18th century formed part of the lake leaving the access to the castle via stone built causeway (LI032-031001-) which gave access to the S side of Knockadoon. Access onto the stone causeway was protected by a square-shaped castellated gateway (LI032-031002-) now levelled located 120m S of the curtain wall of Black Castle. This structure is marked as 'Gateway (Site of) on the revised OS 6-inch map. The stone causeway ran N from the gatehouse traversing the waters of Lough Gur running up to a second gatehouse projecting from the curtain wall (LI032-031003-) of Black Castle. Roughly midway along the stone causeway there is a deep water-filled ditch (approx. L 440m) running roughly E-W from the E shoreline of Lough Gur into the W side of the Balie Islands as depicted on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map. This drainage ditch appears to have been excavated by Henry Baylee of Lough Gur Castle in the 18th century in his attempt to lower the water levels on Lough Gur (Lenihan 1866, 725). The curtain wall of the castle has large cyclopean type masonry and has unusual shouldered window embrasures which possibly indicate a pre-Norman date. The wall thickness measuring 2.4m, the unusual window embrasures, the lack of a returning wall on the W, N and E sides suggest that this wall may have been a pre-Norman wall built originally as a straight stretch of wall cutting off the access onto Knockadoon in a similar fashion to a promontory fort. The impressive stone causeway may also have been constructed in the pre-Norman period and this stone wall may have been the pre-Norman Dún or fortification of Knockadoon which was then refortified in the medieval period with the construction of two gatehouses and a tower onto the SW angle which became known as 'Black Castle'. The castle appears to be a multi-period structure consisting of a rectangular-shaped tower (approx. int. dims. 7.6m x 4m; Wall T 2.3m) on SW angle of an earlier curtain wall (H 4.6m; T 2.4m) which has a gatehouse to E. This tower house was known as the 'Black Castle' as depicted on the OS 6-inch maps. The lack of upstanding remains of a curtain wall on the N, E and W sides make it impossible to be certain about the original layout of the castle courtyard. The tower has been added onto the SW angle of the curtain wall and is not on line with this curtain wall which only ran along the S side of Knockadoon and did not form a rectangular-shaped ward or courtyard. The stretch of curtain wall acted as a defensive wall on the S side accessed from the causeway (LI032-031001-) with the waters of Lough Gur providing defensive element on the other sides of the castle. This would explain the lack of a curtain wall or any evidence of wall footings of a curtain wall on the N, E and W sides of the castle. The S curtain wall acted like a stretch of town wall preventing access onto the island of Knockadoon with 'Black Castle' added onto the SW corner of this curtain wall at a later period which would explain why the castle wall is not on line with the curtain wall. Entry to Knockadoon was along a stone causeway flanked on either side by the waters of Lough Gur which gave access to a gatehouse acting like a town wall gateway which gave access to a roadway leading around the base of Knockadoon and onto Lough Gur Castle located 575m to the NE. Evidence of a cobbled stone roadway can be seen inside the curtain wall of the castle directly in line with the gatehouse entrance. The projecting gatehouse has gun loops in the E and W walls which provide flanking fire along the external face of the curtain wall. Good evidence of wicker centring on the underside of the gateway arch and the cut stone gateway has punch dressed jambs of late medieval date. Directly inside the gateway on the E and W faces of the gateway embrasure are the remains of wooden beam holes running through the thickness of the curtain wall. These wooden beam slots appear to be the remains of timber bracing for strengthening the fabric of the wall. A drawing of the castle by Thomas Dineley dating from around 1680 shows the great tower of the castle and the gatehouse at the N end of the causeway with no evidence for any angle towers on the curtain wall of the castle (Shirley et. al. 1867, 195). On this illustration a castellated gateway is depicted at the S end of the causeway now levelled and a second gatehouse at the N end of the causeway which was located on the S side of the curtain wall. Dineley described this causeway as 'The long bridge wth Drawbridges'. This SW angle tower has a vaulted roof over the ground floor and the S wall was the best preserved standing c. 10.m high the remaining walls stand approx. 3.65m high (Westropp 1906-07, 181). This tower is marked on the OS 6-inch map as 'Black Castle'. The entrance to the ward of the castle was through an entrance defended by a gatehouse (D 4.6m) located in the centre of the S wall pierced with arrow loops on either side of the gatehouse. The NW angle tower known as the Black Castle stands 50m W of the entrance gate on the SW angle of the curtain wall. The curtain wall survives upstanding at S along with a short stretch of the wall on the W side elsewhere it has been removed. There are no visible remains of the curtain wall to the N or E. The causeway and gatehouses was described by Fitzgerald as following; ‘It is solidly built of stone, 432 feet [132m] long, by 22 feet [6.7m] wide. It is 7½ feet [2.3m] high on the eastern, and about 10 feet [3m] on the western side. It was the only approach to the island [Knockadoon]; was defended by a castle (long since levelled to the ground, but shown in Dineley’s sketch) placed 77 feet [23.5m] from the head of the causeway. The foundations of this castellated gateway are quite visible, and are 23½ feet [7.1m] square. One hundred and sixty-two feet [49.3m] farther on is a very wide and deep foss[e], and 177 feet [54m] from this, at the insular end of the causeway, still stands the ruins of a fortified gateway from which a strong wall was drawn along the edge of the lake till it met the Black Castle’ (Lynch 1895, 246). The remains of Black Castle was described in 1826 as following; ‘This hill on the S side was defended by two very strong castles, the approach to which was by a causeway fifteen feet [4.6m] broad and six [1.8m] high: one of these called the Black Castle still remains. Both were connected by a wall near fifteen feet [4.6m] high and eight [2.4m] thick, made up of immense blocks of stone, they are the largest that can be seen in any building of this kind in the county. A very strong arched gateway in this wall was the entrance into the hill. Over this arch, which is about fifteen feet [4.6m] in depth, was another strong building, and on each side of it were two lodgments with loop-holes’ (Fitzgerald and McGregor 1826, 309-10). The Ordnance Survey Letters of 1838 described the castle as following; ‘In this parish at the foot of Knockadoon Hill at the south side of Lough Gur lake are the ruins of a castle called “Black Castle”. It is a mere ruin but it can be ascertained that it was a square tower on a strong wall which fortified this hill and rendered access to Lough Gur Castle on this side almost impossible. This tower measures on the inside 25 ft. [7.6m] by 13ft. 4in. [4m]. The arch over the ground floor remains and the part of the south wall now standing is about 35 feet [10.6m] in height; the other walls are destroyed down to about 12 feet

• LI032-031001 Causeway
  Description

  Raised stone causeway built as an access route or road (LI032-031004-) onto Knockadoon Hill and Lough Gur Castle that was defended by Black Castle (LI032-031----) and the waters of Lough Gur which were lowered by drainage works carried out in the 18th century by Henry Baylee of nearby Lough Gur Castle (Bourchier's Castle) (LI032-022034-). The stone causeway formed the roadway leading to the gatehouse which formed part of the fortifications of the castle known locally as the 'Black Castle'. Access onto this stone causeway was protected by a castellated gatehouse located approx. 110m S of the curtain wall of the castle. Only the N end of the causeway remains intact for a length of 43m, there are no visible remains of the stone causeway running SSE from the drainage channel to the destroyed gateway located approx. 60m S of the drainage channel. The causeway was described by Fitzgerald as following; ‘It is solidly built of stone, 432 feet [132m] long, by 22 feet [6.7m] wide. It is 7½ feet [2.3m] high on the eastern, and about 10 feet [3m] on the western side. It was the only approach to the island; was defended by a castle (long since levelled to the ground, but shown in Dineley’s sketch) placed 77 feet [23.5m] from the head of the causeway. The foundations of this castellated gateway are quite visible, and are 23½ feet [7.1m] square. One hundred and sixty-two feet [49.3m] farther on is a very wide and deep foss, and 177 feet [54m] from this, at the insular end of the causeway, still stands the ruins of a fortified gateway from which a strong wall was drawn along the edge of the lake till it met the Black Castle’ (Lynch 1895, 246). The gatehouse located approx. 105m to the S of the curtain wall and the section of the causeway to the S of the drainage ditch was removed in the early 1900s. The causeway and levelled gatehouse was described by O’Kelly in 1944 as ‘ The entrance was in this tower [gateway] and from here a stone causeway led out across the marshy shallows to solid land where there was a gatehouse, now gone. The causeway evidently stood above the level of the water before the drainage of the last century. Nowadays, the causeway can be followed only as far as a stream which marks the boundary between two farms. Beyond this point it was removed in recent years’ (O’Kelly 1978, 28-9; O’Kelly 1944, 27). This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 34/1976). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 25 September 2018

• LI032-031002 Gatehouse
  Description

  National Monument subject to a preservation order placed on the monument in 1976. Impressive castle known as 'Black Castle' standing on the E shoreline of Lough Gur at the base of Knockadoon Hill with Lough Gur Castle (Bourchier's Castle) (LI032-022034-) 550m to N and New Church (LI032-024001-) 510m to SSW. The castle stands on the E shoreline of Lough Gur with marshy land to W which prior to drainage works carried out in the 18th century formed part of the lake leaving the access to the castle via stone built causeway (L. 132m; Wth 6.7m; H 2.3-3m) which gave access to the S side of Knockadoon. Access onto the stone causeway was protected by a square-shaped castellated gateway now levelled located 120m S of the curtain wall (LI032-031003-) of Black Castle (LI032-031----). This structure is marked as 'Gateway (Site of) on the revised OS 6-inch map. It is not clear if a modern bungalow is built on the site of the gatehouse or if the gatehouse was located a few metres to the S of the bungalow. The foundations of this levelled gatehouse and stone causeway was described by Fitzgerald in the early 19th century as following; ‘The foundations of this castellated gateway are quite visible, and are 23½ feet [7.1m] square’ (Lynch 1895, 246). The stone causeway ran N from the gatehouse traversing the waters of Lough Gur running up to a second gatehouse projecting from the curtain wall of Black Castle. Roughly midway along the stone causeway there is a deep water-filled ditch (approx. L 440m) running roughly E-W from the E shoreline of Lough Gur into the W side of the Balie Islands as depicted on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map. This drainage ditch appears to have been excavated by Henry Baylee of Lough Gur Castle in the 18th century in his attempt to lower the water levels on Lough Gur (Lenihan 1866, 725). A drawing of the castle by Thomas Dineley dating from around 1680 shows the tower of the castle and a castellated gatehouse at the N and S ends of the stone causeway with no evidence for any angle towers on the curtain wall of the castle (Shirley et. al. 1867, 195). On this illustration a castellated gateway is depicted at the S end of the causeway now levelled. Dineley described this causeway as 'The long bridge wth Drawbridges'. According to Lewis Black Castle was constructed in the 14th century by John Fitzgerald (Lewis 1837). Lynch suggested the possibility that Black Castle was built in the 13th century by Geoffrey de Marisco who in the year 1212 was granted the manor of Aney/Knockainey (Lynch 1895, 247). This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 34/1976). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 3 October 2018

• LI032-031003 Bawn
  Description

  National Monument subject to a preservation order placed on the monument in 1976. Impressive castle known as 'Black Castle' standing on the E shoreline of Lough Gur at the base of Knockadoon Hill with Lough Gur Castle (Bourchier's Castle) (LI032-022034-) 550m to N, site of Killalough Church (LI032-033----) 160m to SS and New Church (LI032-024001-) 510m to SSW. The castle stands on the E shoreline of Lough Gur with marshy land to W which prior to drainage works carried out in the 18th century formed part of the lake leaving the access to the castle via stone built causeway (LI032-031001-) which gave access to the S side of Knockadoon. Access onto the stone causeway was protected by a square-shaped castellated gateway (LI032-031002-) measuring 7.1m x 7.1m, now levelled located 120m S of the curtain wall of Black Castle. This structure is marked as 'Gateway (Site of) on the revised OS 6-inch map. The stone causeway ran N from the gatehouse traversing the waters of Lough Gur running up to a second gatehouse projecting from the curtain wall of Black Castle. Roughly midway along the stone causeway there is a deep water-filled ditch (approx. L 440m) running roughly E-W from the E shoreline of Lough Gur into the W side of the Balie Islands as depicted on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map. This drainage ditch appears to have been excavated by Henry Baylee of Lough Gur Castle in the 18th century in his attempt to lower the water levels on Lough Gur (Lenihan 1866, 725). The curtain wall represents the bawn wall of the castle and unusually has large cyclopean type masonry and has unusual shouldered window embrasures which possibly indicate a pre-Norman date. The wall thickness measuring 2.4m, the unusual window embrasures, the lack of a returning wall on the W, N and E sides suggest that this wall may have been a pre-Norman wall built originally as a straight stretch of wall cutting off the access onto Knockadoon in a similar fashion to a promontory fort. The impressive stone causeway may also have been constructed in the pre-Norman period and this stone wall may have been the pre-Norman Dún or fortification of Knockadoon which was then refortified in the medieval period with the construction of two gatehouses and a tower onto the SW angle which became known as 'Black Castle'. The castle appears to be a multi-period structure consisting of a rectangular-shaped tower (LI032-031----) on SW angle of an earlier curtain wall (H 4.6m; T 2.4m) which has a gatehouse located off centre to E. The SW angle tower known as the Black Castle stands 50m W of the entrance gate on the SW angle of the curtain wall. The curtain wall survives upstanding at S along with a short stretch of the wall on the W side elsewhere it has been removed. There are no visible remains of the curtain wall to the W, N or E. This tower house was known as the 'Black Castle' as depicted on the OS 6-inch maps. The lack of upstanding remains of a curtain wall on the N, E and W sides make it impossible to be certain about the original layout of the castle courtyard. The tower has been added onto the SW angle of the curtain wall and is not on line with this curtain wall which only ran along the S side of Knockadoon and did not form a rectangular-shaped ward or courtyard. The stretch of curtain wall acted as a defensive wall on the S side accessed from the causeway (LI032-031001-) with the waters of Lough Gur providing defensive element on the other sides of the castle. This would explain the lack of a curtain wall or any evidence of wall footings of a curtain wall on the N, E and W sides of the castle. The S curtain wall acted like a stretch of town wall preventing access onto the island of Knockadoon with 'Black Castle' added onto the SW corner of this curtain wall at a later period which would explain why the castle wall is not on line with the curtain wall. Entry to Knockadoon was along a stone causeway flanked on either side by the waters of Lough Gur which gave access to a gatehouse acting like a town wall gateway which gave access to a roadway leading around the base of Knockadoon and onto Lough Gur Castle located 575m to the NE. Evidence of a cobbled stone roadway can be seen inside the curtain wall of the castle directly in line with the gatehouse entrance. The projecting gatehouse has gun loops in the E and W walls which provide flanking fire along the external face of the curtain wall. Good evidence of wicker centring on the underside of the gateway arch and the cut stone gateway has punch dressed jambs of late medieval date. Directly inside the gateway on the E and W faces of the gateway embrasure are the remains of wooden beam holes running through the thickness of the curtain wall. These wooden beam slots appear to be the remains of timber bracing for strengthening the fabric of the wall. A drawing of the castle by Thomas Dineley dating from around 1680 shows the great tower of the castle and the gatehouse at the N end of the causeway with no evidence for any angle towers on the curtain wall of the castle (Shirley et. al. 1867, 195). On this illustration a castellated gateway is depicted at the S end of the causeway now levelled and a second gatehouse at the N end of the causeway which was located on the S side of the curtain wall. Dineley described this causeway as 'The long bridge wth Drawbridges'. The causeway and gatehouse was described by Fitzgerald as following; ‘It is solidly built of stone, 432 feet [132m] long, by 22 feet [6.7m] wide. It is 7½ feet [2.3m] high on the eastern, and about 10 feet [3m] on the western side. It was the only approach to the island [Knockadoon]; was defended by a castle (long since levelled to the ground, but shown in Dineley’s sketch) placed 77 feet [23.5m] from the head of the causeway. The foundations of this castellated gateway are quite visible, and are 23½ feet [7.1m] square. One hundred and sixty-two feet [49.3m] farther on is a very wide and deep foss[e], and 177 feet [54m] from this, at the insular end of the causeway, still stands the ruins of a fortified gateway from which a strong wall was drawn along the edge of the lake till it met the Black Castle’ (Lynch 1895, 246). The remains of the castle and causeway was described in 1826 as following; ‘This hill on the S side was defended by two very strong castles, the approach to which was by a causeway fifteen feet [4.6m] broad and six [1.8m] high: one of these called the Black Castle still remains. Both were connected by a wall near fifteen feet [4.6m] high and eight [2.4m] thick, made up of immense blocks of stone, they are the largest that can be seen in any building of this kind in the county. A very strong arched gateway in this wall was the entrance into the hill. Over this arch, which is about fifteen feet [4.6m] in depth, was another strong building, and on each side of it were two lodgments with loop-holes’ (Fitzgerald and McGregor 1826, 309-10). The Ordnance Survey Letters of 1838 described the castle as following; ‘In this parish at the foot of Knockadoon Hill at the south side of Lough Gur lake are the ruins of a castle called “Black Castle”. It is a mere ruin but it can be ascertained that it was a square tower on a strong wall which fortified this hill and rendered access to Lough Gur Castle on this side almost impossible. This tower measures on the inside 25 ft. [7.6m] by 13ft. 4in. [4m]. The arch over the ground floor remains and the part of the south wall now standing is about 35 feet [10.6m] in height; the other walls are destroyed down to about 12 feet [3.65m]. The walls of this castle are 7 ft. 6in [2.3m] thick. There is a gateway on the strong wall above alluded to a short distance to the east of this tower, and through this gateway the road to the great castle of Lough Gur leads’ (OSL Vol. 1, 234-5). The castle was later described by O’Kelly as Black Castle or Killalough Castle ‘now in a ruined stated. Like Bourchier’s Castle, it

• LI032-031004 Road - road/trackway
  Description

  Raised stone causeway (LI032-031001-) built as an access route or road onto Knockadoon Hill and Lough Gur Castle (LI032-022034-) that was defended by Black Castle (LI032-031----) and the waters of Lough Gur which were lowered by drainage works carried out in the 18th century by Henry Baylee of nearby Lough Gur Castle (Bourchier's Castle) (LI032-022034-). The stone causeway formed the roadway leading to the gatehouse which formed part of the fortifications of the castle known locally as the 'Black Castle'. Access onto this stone causeway was protected by a castellated gatehouse located approx. 110m S of the curtain wall (LI032-031003-) of the castle. The Ordnance Survey Letters of 1838 described the road leading from the gatehouse of Black Castle to Lough Gur Castle as following; ‘In this parish at the foot of Knockadoon Hill at the south side of Lough Gur lake are the ruins of a castle called “Black Castle”. It is a mere ruin but it can be ascertained that it was a square tower on a strong wall which fortified this hill and rendered access to Lough Gur Castle on this side almost impossible. There is a gateway on the strong wall above alluded to a short distance to the east of this tower, and through this gateway the road to the great castle of Lough Gur leads’ (OSL Vol. 1, 234-5). Evidence of a cobbled stone roadway can be seen inside the curtain wall of the castle directly in line with the gatehouse entrance. This road was an access road to Lough Gur Castle running along the base of Knockadoon. This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 34/1976). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 3 October 2018

• LI032-032 Standing stone
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Situated on the N side of Killalough Hill with E shoreline of Lough Gur 270m to W. Standing stone (LI032-034----) on top of Killalough Hill 50m to SSE. Standing stone clearly visible on Digital aerial photograph. Monument described in 1912 as following; 'On the brow of the hill above the Giants' Graves [LI032-029----/030----) are two large blocks of stone [LI032-032----/034----], unmarked and unnamed on the Ordnance map. Both of these are of conglomerate, whereas all the outcrops on the hill are of limestone. I have no doubt whatever that one of these, which is bedded in the ground, is a gallaun, and feel pretty confident that the other also comes under this description. The northern block [LI032-032----], which is rounded, measures 6 feet 9 inches [2m] by 4 feet [1.2m], and is 3 feet 6 inches [1m] high. The compass-bearing from one gallaun to another is 210°; and the compass bearing at right angles to the line between the two stones is 320°' (Windle 1912, 297). O'Kelly was doubtful about the antiquity of these two stones which he described as low boulders that looked more like glacial erratics rather than prehistoric standing stones (O'Kelly 1944, 29). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 23 May 2018

• LI032-033 Church
  Description

  No surface remains visible of possible church site only marked as 'Killalough (Site of)' on the revised 1927 ed. OS 6-inch map. No antiquity marked at this location on the first ed. OS 6-inch map. The church site was marked on the map based on folklore recorded by Lynch (1913, 10) who wrote that 'an old man also told me that Killallough means "church of the lake", the site of the church being, he said, marked by the mound at some distance north of the hill, and near the edge of the lake, at the east side of the causeway of the Black Castle (LI032-031----). This church, he further said, was the church of the Desmond period, and was superseded by the new church (LI032-024001-) built by Rachel, Dowager Countess of Bath. An old road leading to the Desmond church, which, he said was locally called the Round Church, is named Bothairin na gCapall, "the little road of the horses". A portion of this road leading through Rusheen ("the little wood"), at the east side of the hill of Killalough, is still left, and near its junction with road leading to Holy Cross Crofton Croker locates a pillar stone (LI032-061----)'. In 1944 the site was described as following; 'No trace survives and nothing is known of it. A slight mound of earth and stones to the SE of the Black Castle is the site given for it on the O.S.' (O'Kelly 1944, 30). A tree marks the site of this possible church site. This area in the medieval period was underneath the water of Lough Gur and is an unlikely location for a church. No church was located here in the 1680s when Thomas Dineley visited the adjacent site of Black Castle (LI032-031----) and when he drew a sketch of the area no church was indicated at this location. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 19 September 2018

• LI032-034 Standing stone
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Situated on top of Killalough Hill with E shoreline of Lough Gur 280m to WNW. Standing stone (LI032-032----) 50m to NNW. Standing stone clearly visible on Digital Globe aerial photograph. Monument described in 1912 as following; 'On the brow of the hill above the Giants' Graves [LI032-029----/030----) are two large blocks of stone [LI032-032----/034----], unmarked and unnamed on the Ordnance map. Both of these are of conglomerate, whereas all the outcrops on the hill are of limestone. I have no doubt whatever that one of these, which is bedded in the ground, is a gallaun, and feel pretty confident that the other also comes under this description. The larger and more southern of these two [LI032-034----], which is embedded in the earth, and clearly a gallaun, is 4 feet 6 inches [1.4m] in height and 7 feet [2.1m] in length, and inclines at an angle of 60° to the lower slope of the hill. The compass-bearing from one gallaun to another is 210°; and the compass bearing at right angles to the line between the two stones is 320°' (Windle 1912, 297). O'Kelly was doubtful about the antiquity of these two stones which he described as low boulders that looked more like glacial erratics rather than prehistoric standing stones (O'Kelly 1944, 29). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 23 May 2018

• LI032-035 Standing stone
  Description

  In pasture, close to or incorporated within a field boundary 500m ENE of Knockfennell Hill and 450m NE of Lough Gur. A standing stone known as Leagaun (LI032-048----) lies 250m to ESE and the Early Medieval settlement site known as the Spectacles (LI032-014012-) is located 400m to SSW. The standing stone (LI032-035----) is not shown on OSi historic maps, and it is not visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 or on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. The standing stone was described by O’Kelly (1944, 29) as ‘a limestone pillar 5’ [1.52m] high, and 2’ 3” [0.69m] by 1’ 2’’ [0.36m] at the base.’ O’Kelly notes that it is one of a group of standing stones referenced by Windle (1912, Plate XXIII). Grogan (1989, Vol. 2, 271) attached the site name of ‘Lough Gur 10’ within his PhD thesis. The location of the site is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 25/03/2017 and 18/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 13 November 2020

• LI032-036001 House - medieval
  Description

  On former pasture on a W-facing slope above and 20m W of the old lakeshore of Lough Gur, now located at the N end of a public carpark. The site is located within an area of dense archaeological activity dating from the Neolithic up to the present day around Lough Gur (Cleary 2018). The House site is one of two medieval houses (LI032-036001-/002-) excavated 20m apart in the Lough Gur Visitors Centre Carpark (Cleary 1982). The Early Medieval settlement site known as the ‘Spectacles’ at Drumlaegh (LI032-014012-) lies 390m to NNW; a crannóg known as Bolin Island (LI032-027----) is located 230m to NW; a Middle Bronze Age house site (LI032-014014-) and Food Vessel Burial (LI032-014014-) excavated as part of the same campaign of archaeological excavations was excavated 285m to NNW; a bullaun stone (LI032-038----) lies 110m to SE and Bourchier’s Castle (LI032-022034-) stands 130m to SW. The archaeological discoveries were made during excavations carried out in advance of the construction of the Lough Gur Visitors Centre carpark in 1977-8. The excavated remains were not depicted on historic OSi maps prior to their discovery. The car park is visible on OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. Rose Cleary (2018, 302-15) described the site as follows: ‘House II (LI032-036001-), to the NW of House I (LI032-036002-), was larger, rectangular in plan and divided into two sections. The structure was originally interpreted as having two rooms; although it is more likely that the W side was a house and that the larger ‘room’ on the E side was some type of barn. The S wall foundation continued E to form the wall foundation of the barn, and both the house and barn were probably built as a single structure. The W wall foundation extended for 3m beyond the end wall and formed part of a stone-built annexe for House II. The house was rectangular in plan, with maximum external dimensions of 11.2m (N-S) by 8m (E-W). Internally, the floor plan measured 8.6m by 5m. The foundation trenches were 1.2-2m wide and 0.5-0.7m deep and, similar to House I (LI032-036002-), it is suggested that the house was mud-built with thick walls set into foundation trenches. Four large boulders that were natural glacial erratic’s were left in the E trench, as presumably they were too awkward to move, and they remained as part of the foundation. The foundation trenches also contained unweathered animal bone and, as at House I (LI032-036002-), this was interpreted as ‘temper’ included in the wall to reduce the amount of shrinkage when the mud dried and solidified. Over 3,000 animal bone fragments were recovered from in and around the house, including the wall foundation trenches, a spread of earth inside the door and a midden outside the door. As at House I (LI032-036002-) , there was no evidence for the roof but it may have been cruck-framed or supported on wall-plates laid along the top of the walls. The roof was most likely thatched with straw or reeds. The door was on the W side and was marked by a stone threshold. The foundation trench was continuous here and the threshold was set into a section of the trench that was infilled with stones. The door location was apparently undecided until the foundations were dug. The threshold was slightly off-centre in the wall and comprised one large stone, c. 1m long on the inside, and a roughly paved area extended outwards from the door. The threshold/paved area was at maximum 1.2m wide and the door was probably slightly narrower. A post-hole on the N side probably marked the door-jamb. As the house was built on a slope, the builders introduced a layer of earth to level up the floor. This earth fill was thickest (0.25m) at the threshold and petered out towards the east within the house. The purpose of a post-hole within the earth layer is unknown’. A lean-to building constructed was against the S wall of House II (ibid, 309). ‘The W wall was a continuation of the house wall; the east wall was drystone-built, and a stone wall was also partially built against the S wall of the house. The E stone wall was a c. 5m-long single row of stones that survived to a height of two courses or 0.5m. There was a marked concentration of animal bones from around the stone annexe, the sink-hole and the yard fence foundations adjacent to the annexe. These were tinged green and were probably in contact with human or animal waste, and it is possible that a dunghill existed just outside the stone annexe and adjacent to the yard fence. There were foundation trenches for fencing around a large enclosure or yard to the S of the house. The fences, constructed after House I had been levelled, were erected over part of the foundation trench of its N wall. They were 0.5-1.5m wide and 0.2-0.3m deep below the boulder clay level but were probably deeper when dug from the contemporary ground surface; they were interpreted as the footings or bedding trench for timber or wattle fences. The yard was at maximum 25m wide (N-S) and the excavated length was 18m (E-W) but it continued outside the excavation limits. There was a large oval pit to the cast side and about 1.5m S of the yard fence. Its dimensions (2.75m E-W by 1.3m N-S) and alignment, the displaced large stone blocks which may have lined its sides and the charred remains of bread wheat, barley and oats suggested that it was used to dry corn. The kiln was poorly preserved but may have been keyhole in plan. The excavations on the car-park site also produced a number of quernstone fragments, showing that cereals were ground on site for domestic consumption. The fill of the corn-drying kiln included a sherd of locally made late 13th / early 14th century pottery and an iron key of 12th / 13th century date, and the kiln may have been contemporary with House I or II. A stone-built hearth, 1m S of the barn wall, had two rows of stones with an intermediary stone. Stake-holes around the hearth indicated a spit over the fire, which either allowed for roasting meat or perhaps held pots to cook cereals or bake outside the house. A sherd of early 14th century pottery from the hearth suggested that it was in use at the same time as House II. Also within the yard was a 4m-long stone-covered drain leading to a paved area was set in a shallow foundation against the N wall of the house. Much of the paving was, however, disturbed by a modern horse burial. Two parallel trenches, set 6.5m apart internally, extended from the eastern side of the house, and this section of the structure is interpreted as a barn or byre attached to the house. The archaeological evidence for the type of building suggests that it was of similar construction to the house, being a thick-walled mud-built structure with some stones at the basal levels of the foundation trench. Two large post-holes (0.35-0.5m in diameter) on either side of the N foundation trench may mark the position of a wide or double door on the N side of the barn; a wide door would have facilitated the passage of stock or carts into the barn. The vestiges of 27 post-holes immediately S of the possible entrance may mark some internal fitting such as a manger, a hayrack or perhaps a sty. A hearth that was simply a spread of oxidised soil and charcoal almost abutted the N wall of the barn. The carpark, the location spot of the excavation, is visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 23 November 2020

• LI032-036002 House - medieval
  Description

  On former pasture on a W-facing slope above and 20 W of the old lakeshore of Lough Gur, now located at the S end of a public carpark. The site is located within an area of dense archaeological activity dating from the Neolithic up to the present day around Lough Gur (Cleary 2018). The house site is one of two medieval houses (House II (LI032-036001-) and House I (LI032-036002-) excavated 20m apart in the Lough Gur Visitors Centre Carpark (Cleary 1982). The Early Medieval settlement site known as the ‘Spectacles’ at Drumlaegh (LI032-014012-) is located 390m to NNW; a crannóg known as Bolin Island (LI032-027----) is located 230m to NW; a Middle Bronze Age house site (LI032-014014-) and Food Vessel Burial (LI032-014014-) excavated as part of the same campaign of archaeological excavations was excavated 285m to NNW; a bullaun stone (LI032-038----) lies 110m to SE and Bourchier’s Castle (LI032-022034-) stands 130m to SW. The archaeological discoveries were made during excavations carried out in advance of the construction of the Lough Gur Visitors Centre carpark in 1977-8. The excavated remains were not depicted on historic OSi maps prior to their discovery. The car park is visible on OSi orthoimages taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. Rose Cleary (2018, 302-15) described the site as follows: ‘House I was sub-rectangular in plan, with an external length (E-W) of 14.5m and width (N-S) of 7.6m. There was no surviving evidence for internal partitions and the floor plan appears to have been a single room. The SW corner was square while the NE and SE corners were rounded. The N end of the house was cut through and disturbed by a trench for a yard fence associated with House II. The foundation trench of House I was U-shaped, 0.5-0.75m deep and 0.5-1.4m wide, being best preserved on the S and E sides. Little stone was recovered from the foundation trench and the walls were probably constructed either entirely of mud or of post and wattle liberally coated with mud. There was no evidence of post-holes in the foundation trenches to indicate that timber uprights were used as a frame, although the nature of the soil in Lough Gur does not easily allow for the recognition of post-holes unless the posts were driven into the underlying boulder clay. Over 500 large fragments of unweathered animal bone were recovered from the foundation trenches and their condition suggested that they were used as temper in the mud walls, which would have reduced excessive shrinkage as the mud dried. Mud walls may have been up to 1.5m thick. There was no surviving evidence for the roof; it may have been supported by a cruck-frame. The S wall trench was wider, and a stone-built hearth and ash pit were recorded there. A basal layer of stone marked the hearth but its floor did not survive. An ash pit immediately to the S was a stone-lined, box-like structure measuring 1.5m (N/S) by 0.8m (E/W) and set into the wall foundation below the floor level. Closely set paving in front of the hearth extended across the floor towards the E wall, and elsewhere the floor was clay. There was no trace of a break in the foundation trench to indicate an entrance. The threshold in House II (LI032-036001-) was laid over part of the foundation trench which was infilled. A stone-lined drainage channel in the NW corner of the house led out under the wall to a rectangular pit, 2m by 1m wide. The pit fill included charred weeds of creeping buttercup (Ranunculus sp.), rushes (Juncus sp.) and sedges (Carex sp.), which are commonly found in damp areas; the weeds may have been brought in with rushes used as bedding in the house. A second pit, 0.7m S of the house, was also stone-lined and rectangular in plan, 4.5m long by 2m wide. The paving on the E side of the house continued to the edge of the pit. The pit contained some animal bone that was discoloured owing to contact with human bodily waste, indicating that at some stage the pit was used as a latrine adjacent to the house. Dating of this house is based on the pottery finds, which consisted of fragments of 13th to early 14th century green-glazed jugs, including some decorated examples made in the Limerick area. A bone die with well-polished surfaces was recovered from the NW pit and the values were indicated by dot-and-circle impressions’. The carpark, the location spot of the excavation, is visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 23 November 2020

• LI032-037 Road - road/trackway
  Description

  In wet marshy pasture on the SE side of Lough Gur running from the E side of Killalough Hill N along the SW edge of the smaller of the Lough Gur lakes on the SE side of Knockadoon and Knockmore. The road, known as Bóthairín na gCapall, runs 225m NE of the medieval church (LI032-033----) at Lough Gur. It is 190m S of two crannóga (LI032-039001-/002-) which are located 225m and 165m N of the road respectively. The road runs NNE-SSW from the base of Killalough Hill until it reaches the former shoreline of the lake where it turns W. The road appears to veer N 225m NE of the Black Castle (LI032-031----) along the W side of the lake. The road is not depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map, although it is partially depicted on the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch and Cassini OSi 6-inch maps as a trackway running from the roadside to the former lake. The road is clearly visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013 as a linear road lined on either side by a ditch. Lynch (1913, 10) gives an account of the road as follows: ‘I have never been on the top of Killalough Hill, but an old man has told me that there was a large stone circle on the top of this hill, and that there were marks on one of the stones , whether natural or artificial he could not say. The old man also told me that Killalough means ‘church of the lake’, the site of the church being, he said, marked by the mound at some distance north of the hill, and near the edge of the lake, at the east side of the causeway of the Black Castle. This church, he further said, was the church of the Desmond period, and was superseded by the new church built by Rachel, Dowager Countess of Bath. An old road leading to the Desmond church, which, he said, was locally called the Round Church, is named Bothairin na gCapall, ‘the little road of the horses’. A portion of this road leading through Rusheen (‘the little wood’ ), at the east side of the hill of Killalough, is still left, and near its junction with the road leading to Holy Cross Crofton Croker locates a pillar stone.’ The road is visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 05/04/2006; 16/03/2016; 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. The N course of Bóthairín na gCapall appears to run along the W side of the lake where it passes a bullaun stone (LI032-038----) heading N. The road (LI032-037----) appears to be the S end of the same historic trcakway that consists of an earthen embanked road that runs N-S from the bullaun stone (LI032-038----) along the NE side of Lough Gur where it extends N and can be seen on the OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 abutting the W side of the rock outcrop known locally as Carrigamhargaidh. It can be traced on the E side of Drumlaegh located 65m NE of the Spectacles (LI032-014012-) and 40m SW of an earthwork (LI032-047002-). The road can be traced on aerial orthoimages to a farm complex in Ballingola. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 16 November 2020

• LI032-038 Bullaun stone
  Description

  Described by O'Kelly (1944, 28) as following: 'This is a circular hole cut in a piece of naturally outcropping rock. It measures 1' [0.3m] in diameter at the top and is 1' 3" [0.38m] deep. Locally it is called a wart well'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 2 October 2010

• LI032-039001 Crannog
  Description

  One of two crannóga (LI032-039002-) annotated 'Balie Islands' located in a drained section of Lough Gur on the E side of Knockadoon Peninsula. The site is within an area of dense archaeological activity dating principally from the Neolithic and Bronze Age up to the present day around Lough Gur (Cleary 2018). The N crannóg (LI032-039001-) is 50m NNE of the S crannóg (LI032-039002-). The Early Medieval Carraig Aille stone forts (LI032-053002-/003-) are located 320m SE on a rocky ridge that defines the E side of the lake. The ‘site of’ a possible church annotated Killalough (LI032-033----) is located 450m SSW on the original shoreline of the lake. A bullaun stone (LI032-038----) is located 215m N. Lough Gur Castle also known as Bouchier's Castle (LI032-022034-) stands 260m to NW. The crannóg is one of two 'Balie Islands' depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map. Drainage of Lough Gur in the mid-19th century reduced the water level which substantially reduced its size. The 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch and the Cassini OSi 6-inch maps do not depict the islands and show the drained lake as wet marshland liable to flooding. The crannóg is visible on marshy ground N of shallow water as a circular stand of trees (ext. diam. c. 30m) on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. Dowd (1896, 68-9) recorded that there ‘are two slight elevations perceptible above the level surface of the drained ground E of Knockadoon, and named Balie Islands, which also appear to be crannóga, constructed when the surrounding area was a flooded morass’. O’Kelly (1944, 28) recorded that, ‘two sites called the Bailey Islands which are shown on the first edition of the OS map, but do not appear on the later editions. They were situated in the marsh to the east of Knockadoon, but are not now visible. All efforts to trace them have failed’. Cleary (2018, 277) associated the name of the islands with ‘Mr John Bayley, whose family occupied Bouchier’s Castle (LI032-022034-) as agents of the Fane family from the late 17th century’. The outline of a tree and scrub-covered island survives in the centre of the lake c. 50m from the NE shoreline. The location is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 05/04/2006; 16/03/2016 and 28/06/2018. The placename suggests an association with Caheer Baelee (Bayley's Chair) (LI032-065004-) also named after the Bayley family, a site on Knockderc Hill 2.5km S. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan and Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 20 November 2020

• LI032-039002 Crannog
  Description

  One of two crannóga (LI032-039001-) annotated 'Balie Islands' located in a drained section of Lough Gur on the E side of Knockadoon Peninsula. The site is within an area of dense archaeological activity dating principally from the Neolithic and Bronze Age up to the present day around Lough Gur (Cleary 2018). The S crannóg (LI032-039002-) is 50m SSW of the N crannóg (LI032-039002-). The Early Medieval Carraig Aille stone forts (LI032-053002-/003-) are located 320m E on a rocky ridge that defines the E side of the lake. The ‘site of’ a possible church annotated Killalough lies 375m to SSW on the original shoreline of the lake. A bullaun stone (LI032-038----) is located 295m to N. Lough Gur Castle also known as Bouchier's Castle (LI032-022034-) stands 310m to NW. The crannóg is one of two 'Balie Islands' depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map. Drainage of Lough Gur in the mid-19th century reduced the water level which substantially reduced its size. The 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch and the Cassini OSi 6-inch maps do not depict the islands and show the drained lake as wet marshland liable to flooding. The crannóg is visible on marshy ground W of shallow water as a circular stand of trees (ext. diam. c. 27m) on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. Dowd (1896, 68-9) recorded that there ‘are two slight elevations perceptible above the level surface of the drained ground E of Knockadoon, and named Balie Islands, which also appear to be crannóga, constructed when the surrounding area was a flooded morass’. O’Kelly (1944, 28) recorded ‘two sites called the Bailey Islands which are shown on the first edition of the OS map, but do not appear on the later editions. They were situated in the marsh to the east of Knockadoon, but are not now visible. All efforts to trace them have failed’. Cleary (2018, 277) associated the name of the islands with ‘Mr John Bayley, whose family occupied Bouchier’s Castle (LI032-022034-) as agents of the Fane family from the late 17th century’. The outline of a tree and scrub-covered island survives in the centre of the lake. The location is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 05/04/2006; 16/03/2016 and 28/06/2018. The placename suggests an association with Caheer Baelee (Bayley's Chair) (LI032-065004-), a site on Knockderc Hill 2.5km S. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan and Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 20 November 2020

• LI032-040001 Standing stone
  Description

  In pasture, on the SE side of Killalough Hill 280m NE of the Red Bog and 510m SE of Lough Gur. A ringfort (LI032-028----) lies 375m to ESE; a pair of standing stones (LI032-032/ 034----) are 235m ro NW and a cairn (LI032-040002-) is located 150m to NE. The standing stone (LI032-040001-) is not depicted on the historic OSi maps. It is not visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 but is visible on Digital Globe orthoimage taken 2011-2013. The standing stone was inspected by the ASI in 2007 and described as a very weathered upright deeply fractured limestone (dims. H 1.2m; L 0.95m; T 0.3m) covered in white and yellow lichen. S-side tends downslope and stone is aligned with its long-axis c. ENE-WSW. The surrounding ground is heavily worn by cattle and the base is enclosed by clumps of grass. The location of the site is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 16/03/2016; 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 23 November 2020

• LI032-040002 Cairn - unclassified
  Description

  In pasture, on the SE side of Killalough Hill 410m NE of the Red Bog and 550m SE of Lough Gur. A Ringfort (LI032-028----) lies 520m to ESE; a pair of standing stones (LI032-032/-034----) are 300m to WNW and a standing stone (LI032-040001-) is located 150m to SW. The cairn (LI032-040002-) is not depicted on historic OSi maps. A mound is visible on the OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimage taken 2011-2013 that are considered to be the site. The site was described as 100m E of the standing stone (LI032-040001-) by Grogan (1989, 216), although there are difficulties in being precise about the site location as the thesis suggested that the mound is in Ballynagallagh townland. The location of the ‘cairn’ (ext. dims. 34.5m NNW-SSE; 15.5m ENE-SSW) is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 16/03/2016; 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 23 November 2020

• LI032-047001 Standing stone
  Description

  In pasture within the NE corner of a large field, the NE shore of Lough Gur lies 675m to S. A standing stone (LI023-117----) is located 80m to NW, an earthwork (LI032-047002-) lies 45m to SW. The standing stone (LI032-047001-) is not depicted on OSi historic maps. It is not visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 or on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. The standing stone is referred to by O’Kelly (1944, 29) although it is difficult to distinguish which stone he is referring to. O’Kelly (1942-3, 180) separately refers to a series of standing stones which marked the route of an ancient road (LI023-115001-) which ran 'from Lough Gur Cross (LI032-061----) to the northern barony boundary’. Grogan (1989, Vol. 2, 271) attached the site name ‘Lough Gur 6’ to the monument within his PhD thesis. The location of the site has been estimated on Google Earth orthoimages taken 16/03/2016 and 28/06/2018. The standing stone may not survive above ground level. Future fieldwork should attempt to locate the site. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 23 November 2020

• LI032-047002 Barrow - unclassified
  Description

  In pasture within a large field, 50m S of the townland boundary with Ballingoola. The NE shore of Lough Gur lies 675m to S. A standing stone (LI032-047001-) is located 45m to NE and a second standing stone (LI023-117----) is 110m to N. The earthwork (LI032-047002-) is not depicted on OSi historic maps. It is visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013 and appears to be a mound. A ‘relic’ road (orientated N-S) visible on the OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 is located 60m to W. The relic road appears to be part of an historic road (LI032-037----) that extends N along the E side of Lough Gur. The earthwork (ext. diam. c. 13m) was identified by Bruff aerial photographic survey in 1986 (Bruff 140: AP 4/3641). The earthworks are visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 16/03/2016 and 28/06/2018. O’Kelly (1942-3, 180) referred to a series of standing stones which marked the route of an ancient road which ran 'from Lough Gur Cross (LI032-061----) to the N barony boundary’. See attached Bruff survey image showing the site labelled Bruff 140 and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload:

• LI032-048 Standing stone
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Standing stone situated in grassland 550m NE of Lough Gur. Standing stones (LI032049---/050---) 280m to S, standing stone (LI032-035----) 250m to WNW. Listed as stone 'S' in 1912 and described by Windle (1912, 304) as following; 'This gallaun, on the other hand, is of considerable size and interest. It is situated on the very brow of the hill and overlooking a valley of fair size. It must have been visible from a great distance in the original state of the country, and indeed can now be seen, from far off in many directions to the north of Lough Gur. It is a large tabular stone, the bearing of the long axis of which is 183°. There are no striking horizon marks with which I could correlate it. It is 8 feet 6 inches [2.6m] in height, 6 feet 6 inches [2m] in breadth, and 1 foot [0.3m] thick. It inclines to the west at an angle of about 75°'. In 1944 the stone was described as 'a large limestone 8' [2.4m] high and 6' 1" [1.85m] at the base. It leans somewhat to the W and is now incorporated in a modern fence' (O'Kelly 1944,29). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 23 May 2018

• LI032-049 Standing stone
  Description

  In pasture in the centre of a large field at the NE tip of Lough Gur which lies 350m ti SW. A standing stone annotated 'Leagaun' (Site R; LI032-050----) lies 75m to SE and the Early Medieval settlement site known as the Spectacles (LI032-014012-) lies 340m to WSW, a standing stone also known as 'Leagaun' (Site S; LI032-048----) is located 260m to N. The standing stone (LI032-049----) is not shown on OSi historic maps, and it is not visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 or on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. The standing stone was described by O’Kelly (1944, 29) as, ‘a well weathered limestone pillar 3’ 3” [0.99m] high, and 1’ 10” [0.56m] at the base.’ O’Kelly noted that it is an addition to a group of standing stones recorded by Windle (1912, Plate XXIII). Grogan (1989, Vol. 2, 271) attached the site name ‘Lough Gur 7’ to the monument within his PhD thesis. The location of the site is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. The standing stone does not appear to survive above ground level. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 16 November 2020

• LI032-050 Standing stone
  Description

  In pasture in a large field at the NE tip of Lough Gur which lies 450m to WSW. A standing stone (LI032-049----) lies 75m to NW and the Early Medieval settlement site known as the Spectacles (LI032-014012-) is located 410m to W, a standing stone also known as Leagaun (Site S; LI032-048----) lies 420m to NNW. The standing stone (LI032-050----) is not depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map, but is later depicted as an antiquity annotated 'Leagaun' on 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch and the Cassini ed. OSi 6-inch maps. It is not visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 or on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. The standing stone was identified by Windle (1912, 304, Plate XXIII) as Site R. Described by O’Kelly (1944, 29) as at ‘390’ [119m OD] a very low limestone pillar 1’ 6” [0.46m] high, and 10” [0.25m] by 6” [0.15m] at the base. It is probable that this stone was much higher at the time’. Grogan (1989, Vol. 2, 271) attached the site name of ‘Lough Gur 4’ to the monument within his PhD thesis. The location of the site is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 16/03/2016 and 28/06/2018. The standing stone does not appear to survive above ground level. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 16 November 2020

• LI032-051 Standing stone
  Description

  In former rocky pasture now surrounded by woodland, at the NE end of Lough Gur, which is located 415m to W. A standing stone also known as Leagaun (LI032-050----) stands 175m to NW; the Early Medieval settlement site known as the Spectacles (LI032-014012-) is located 550m to WNW; Bronze Age burials (LI032-055----) were excavated 75m to SW and Circle O (LI032-060----) is located 230m to SE. The standing stone (LI032-051----) is not depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map, but is depicted as an antiquity, annotated 'Leagaun' on the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map and Cassini ed. OSi 6-inch map. It is not visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 or on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013 as the location of the monument is covered with woodland. The standing stone was listed by Windle (1912, 304, Plate XXIII) as Site Q. Described by O’Kelly (1944, 29) as following; ‘350’ [107m OD] a limestone pillar 4’ [1.22m] high and 1’ [0.3m] by 6” [0.15m] at the base. Part of ancient road.’ Grogan (1989, Vol. 2, 271) attached the site name ‘Lough Gur 3’ to the standing stone within his PhD thesis. The location of the site is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 05/04/2006 and 20/09/2020. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 16 November 2020

• LI032-052 Structure
  Description

  Situated in area of rock outcrop 130m E of a small lake that was drained in the 19th century and which formed part of Lough Gur. The small lake had two islands known as 'Balie Islands' which are the remains of two crannóga (LI032-039001-/002-). Carraig Aille fort (LI032-053002-), a deserted settlement (LI032-053041-) and two cashels (LI032-053001-/003-) lie 50m to SE. Described by O'Kelly (1944, 25) as one of three small enclosures situated on NW slope of Carraig Aille Hill. He described them as following; 'There are three enclosures formed of rough standing stones and in places where it was convenient, the natural rock outcrop has been utilised. They were excavated but the results were entirely negative' (O'Kelly 1944, 25). Listed by Ó Ríordáin (1954, 458) as 'Id' and described as 'Stone enclosures' associated with Carraig Aille stone fort (LI032-053001-). Site excavated by Ó Ríordáin who listed the monument as Site 3 and described it as 'structures north-west of Carraig Aille' (Ó Ríordáin 1949, 40). These structures were described by Ó Ríordáin (1949, 56-7) as following; 'On the hill-slope north-west of Carraig Aille I [LI032-053002-] was a group of structures whose outlines were marked by very large stones (some over 3' [0.9m] in height) which might be described as megalithic in character. The rock face, also about 3' [0.9m] in height, was utilised to form one side of a structure (C). The outlines of the enclosures so formed were very irregular and differed considerably in size. A, the one farthest to the south, was completely outlined by standing stones and no entrance was apparent either before or after excavation. B was less completely enclosed and C was only very inadequately closed on the north side, where the upright stones near the north-west corner were small and did not appear before excavation. The dimensions of A were approximately 14' [4.3m] by 12' [3.7m]. B was somewhat smaller but C was much larger, about 26' [8m] by 18' [5.5m]. The stones on the western side of the structures served as much to bank up the raised interior as to enclose the areas, the interior being about 2½' [0.75m] higher than the ground to the west. On excavation it was found that a considerable amount of stones had been piled around the uprights and had, in part, served to keep them in position. The only finds were a small quantity of animal bones and no datable evidence or artifact of any kind was discovered. In the neighbourhood of the structures are other evidences of ancient activity. About 33 yards to the north of the group is a plateau approximately semi-circular in outline, its straight side formed by the rock and the curved side on the west by an edging of upright stones which served to terrace the enclosed area. Immediately south-west of the group is a similarly enclosed area, about 25 yards across. The absence of post-holes and the irregular construction of the group make it likely that these structures were not intended for human habitation and suggest that they were rather unroofed pens for animals probably sheep. The whole group was possibly connected with the neighbouring forts on Carraig Aille [LI032-053002-/001-/003-]'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 24 May 2018

• LI032-053001 Enclosure
  Description

  Situated in area of rock outcrop 200m E of a small lake that was drained in the 19th century and which formed part of Lough Gur. The small lake had two islands known as 'Balie Islands' which are the remains of two crannóga (LI032-039001-/002-). Attached to W side of Carraig Aille stone fort (LI032-053002-) with settlement cluster (LI032-053041-) and a second cashel (LI032-053003-) 40m to E and SE, three excavated stone structures (LI032-052----) were excavated by Ó Ríordáin in field to N. Possible annexe to Carraig Aille 1 (LI032-053002-) described by Ó Ríordáin (1949, 55-6) as following; 'Below the fort on the western side is a level shelf or plateau about 120' in length and 35' broad, bounded on the eastern side by a vertical rock face above which stands the fort. On the west a wall was built above the rock face, which again, in most places is almost vertical. At the southern end of the plateau an entrance in the wall was marked by two large parallel stones. The entrance and selected areas were excavated with the hope of determining for what purpose and at what date the plateau had been enclosed and whether it had been utilised in connection with the fort. No dating evidence was forthcoming however, a flint flake being the only artifact found. A single very large post-hole (depth 2' [0.6m], diameter 4' [1.2m]) was found outside the entrance on the eastern side. That the method of supporting the gate was at some stage changed and the use of this post-hole discontinued, was shown by the fact that a large flat stone had been placed in the post-hole. Under the humus on the plateau, the surface, of clay or clay and gravel, formed a hard and level floor. This "floor", however, gave no evidence of having been deliberately laid down but was such as would have developed as a result of trampling. The plateau showed no signs of habitation and it seems more likely that it was used as a place for keeping cattle or horses. Since it was naturally fenced on the one side by the rock face, it was possible to enclose it by building a wall along the western side only. One could not say definitely that the enclosure was connected with the fort, but its position under the fort suggests that it could easily have been guarded from above, and it is likely that it was used by the fort dwellers as a cattle kraal'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 24 May 2018 See attached ASI aerial photograph ASIAP – 349/5 taken 05/01/2003.

• LI032-053002 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Carraig Aille cashel situated in area of rock outcrop 200m E of a small lake that was drained in the 19th century and which formed part of Lough Gur. The small lake had two islands known as 'Balie Islands' which are the remains of two crannóga (LI032-039001-/002-). A settlement cluster (LI032-053041-) and a second cashel (LI032-053003-) lie 40m to SE, three excavated stone structures (LI032-052----) were excavated by Ó Ríordáin in field to NNW. Carraig Aille stone fort was excavated by Ó Ríordáin (1949, 39) which he listed as Carraig Aille I, the cashel 40m to SE he listed as Carraig Aille II. Prior to excavation the cashel was described as following; 'The fort which we have called Carraig Aille I was, before excavation, much more clearly defined than was Carraig Aille II [LI032-053003-], though excavation showed it to be less impressive structurally than the latter. The outline, of Carraig Aille I is oval, enclosing the highest part of the hill. The fort wall was approximately of the same thickness as Carraig Aille II - between 11' [3.35m] and 14' [4.3m] - but the area enclosed was less. The greatest overall diameter in this case was about 140' [42.6m]. Much of the outer face of the rampart was to be seen before excavation, standing to an average height of about 3' [0.9m]. The stones tended to be larger but not as well selected nor as well placed as those in Carraig Aille II. Steps giving access to the top of the rampart, again similar to those in Carraig Aille II, were found, but only in two places, north of the entrance and almost directly opposite it; the steps were 8" [2.4m] and 3' [0.9m] wide. A more doubtful step was provided in the rampart to the south-west by the setting back of a single stone. On the northern side of the fort part of the rampart had been removed in the course of stone quarrying which had cut deeply into the hill here. Before excavation no trace of building could be seen within the fort, but the position of the entrance was evident. Over the interior of the fort, particularly towards the centre, rock knolls outcropped and gave evidence of the feature of the site which was particularly noted during the excavation the uneven rocky surface which had been enclosed by the fort builders. The entrance was to the east and had, as in Carraig Aille II, a recess at either side. These recesses, however, were less neatly built than those in the other fort. The southern recess was 8" [0.2m] deep and 5' 2" [1.6m] in length, the northern recess was about 6' [1.8m] deep and 5' 8" [1.7m] in length. The width between them averaged 7' 9" [2.4m]. The dimensions show that neither recess could be used to contain the gate if this were made in one piece. The rock surface in the entrance was found to be covered by black habitation material, but over this flat stones representing fragments of a paving were found. Within the fort portions of paving occurred. These were found mainly inside the rampart on the south and south-east and there was a small area of paving near the steps north of the entrance. Associated with the paving on the southern sides were traces of walls of houses. These belonged to rectangular houses with rooms of varying sizes. About 7' [2.1m] inside the south-western corner of the entrance was a small compartment less than 4' [1.2m] square internally which can hardly have served for any other purpose than as a shelter for a single person - perhaps for a sentry' (Ó Ríordáin 1949, 52-4). Ó Ríordáin (1949, 109) concluded that 'in the case of Carraig Aille I the iron hand-pinmay, it has been suggested, date to the seventh century and for the beads with "rope" ornament evidence has been given that they occurred in a tenth century context. The remainder of the material is similar to that from Carraig Aille II [LI032-053003-] though the number of outstanding finds is small -the meagre quantity of bronze being especially marked. The dating of the two sites would, therefore, appear to be parallel and the economy similar, that of Carraig Aille I being on a poorer level. Again, steps were constructed in the rampart at the south side of Carraig Aille II but were absent on the north side although the level ground here would have made attack feasible This may have been due to the fact that the contemporary occupation of Carraig Aille I provided sufficient protection on the north. From consideration of the sites themselves it is reasonable to argue that Carraig Aille I, being placed on the highest point of the hill, was probably built before Carraig Aille II, since defence considerations must have been of importance in siting. The houses north of Carraig Aille II were, we have argued, inhabited during the latter part of the occupation of this fort but were in part built before the rampart had seriously collapsed. They represent a stage at which an open undefended settlement was appropriate to the conditions of the times, as does also the house south of the fort. The building of houses on the rampart on the west emphasises this abandoning of a defensive mentality'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 24 May 2018 See attached ASI aerial photograph ASIAP – 349/5 taken 05/01/2003.

• LI032-053003 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Cashel situated in area of rock outcrop 200m E of a small lake that was drained in the 19th century and which formed part of Lough Gur. The small lake had two islands known as 'Balie Islands' which are the remains of two crannóga (LI032-039001-/002-). A settlement cluster (LI032-053041-), Carraig Aille fort (LI032-053003-) excavated by Ó Ríordáin 40m to N and NNW respectively, three stone structures (LI032-052----) also excavated by Ó Ríordáin 165m to NNW. Stone fort listed as Carraig Aille II excavated by Ó Ríordáin (1949, 39). Prior to excavation the cashel was described as following; 'Before excavation this site was most unimpressive. The stones of the rampart were exposed for short distances to the southwest and west; a few stones showed at the eastern and south-eastern sides of the fort. The outline of the fort could be traced only by reason of the general configuration and we were surprised when excavation revealed so much of the fort rampart as well as other structural remains under the general accumulation of collapsed material and habitation refuse. After the excavation, the debris excavated from the fort was not replaced in or upon it, but the ramparts were allowed to stand free to indicate the character of the structure. Stones were replaced in the rampart but only so as to bring the more collapsed portions level with the higher parts. No attempt at restoration was made, however, beyond a height for which we had definite evidence. While Carraig Aille II cannot compare with the great stone forts of the western seaboard, it is, as it now stands, an interesting structure in an area where stone forts are not common. The fort is not regularly circular but is adapted to the configuration of the ground and the walls on the west and north sides form almost straight lines. The greatest overall diameter (southwest-northeast) is 156' [47.5m]. The wall, the thickness of which varies from slightly under 12' [3.65mm] to about 14' [4.3m], has a facing inside and outside of large, well-shaped, rectangular, lime stone blocks, placed in general in fairly regular horizontal courses. Between the blocks spalls are placed to keep the larger stones in position. Where the underlying rock dipped, the courses tended in places to dip out of the horizontal. The best limestone blocks were used at the entrance, but in general the size of the stones varied considerably the most usual size being about 1' [0.3m] x 1½' [0.45m] x 1' [0.3m], but some stones were much greater, one being as large as 6' [1.8m] x 2' [0.6m] x 15". Some straight joints in the wall are probably fortuitous since they do not correspond on the outer and inner faces of the rampart and can hardly be regarded as the starting points of different gangs of workmen as in the case of the fort at Cahercommaun. An irregular change in the curvature of the wall about 10' [3m] north of the entrance indicates that the planning was somewhat haphazard and that the direction of the wall was changed here to bring it into line with the other side of the entrance. Between the outer and inner faces the rampart was filled with smaller blocks of stone and rubble. The maximum existing height of the rampart was 3½' [1m], but in places where only one course of stones remained it had been reduced to as little as 1' [0.3m]. A portion of the rampart had evidently been removed in ancient times leaving a gap of about 14' at the north-east side of the fort and allowing free access between the fort and the house sites outside it. It is not possible to say what was the original height of the rampart, but that it stood to a greater height than the maximum 3½' [1m] found by excavation is shown by the fact that steps were constructed to allow of access to the. upper portion. These were provided at six points in the inner wall the number of steps which remained varying between one and three. It is noteworthy that the steps were more frequent at the southern side of the fort where the approach to it was more easy and attack from this quarter more likely. The rise of the steps ranged from 4" [0.1m] to 1' [0.3m]; they had a V tread and were about 2' [0.6m] in width. The steps were built into the wall and presumably gave access to a platform or terrace, outside which may have been a narrower portion of the wall forming a breastwork. Where three steps remained on the southern side of the fort the angle at which they rose was found to be approximately 45°. This means that the steps if continued in the same straight line would strike the outer face of a 12' [3.65m] thick rampart at a height of 12' [3.65m], but to allow for breastwork and platform of reasonable dimensions a height of 6' [1.8m] to 8' [2.4m] might be postulated - this would seem to agree with the amount of the collapsed material. The position of the entrance was not evident before excavation, the passage through the rampart which gave access to the fort having become completely filled. Clearance of the filling revealed that the stonework in the neighbour hood of the entrance was better and more carefully laid than elsewhere in the rampart. The thickness of the rampart on either side of the entrance was slightly over 14' [4.3m] and the entrance itself had a general width of 5' [1.5m] increased in the middle portion by recesses in the stonework. The passage was paved on the northern side and cobbled on the south. The paving was constructed of large regular blocks of stone, their average size being slightly over 1' [0.3m] square and about 1' [0.3m] in depth. The cobbling, which was composed of small closely set, rounded or flat stones, was set at a lower level so as to butt against the base of the paving, and since the cobbling did not continue under the paving, it is clear that they were in contemporary use. While the cobbling was confined to the entrance passage, the paving began outside the rampart on the northern side of the entrance and continued as a narrow causeway which ran in a curved line across the fort. As already mentioned a recess was constructed at either side of the entrance. These began about 3½' [1m] from the outer face of the rampart and continued for a distance of slightly over 5' [1.5m]. The northern recess had an average depth of about 9" [0.2m], while that on the south was 7" [0.17m] deep. At the eastern end of the north recess the plan shows a small rectangular niche which because of overlapping stones was not continuous vertically and could not have been used to hold a gate post. The recessing of the two sides of the entrance is a feature which we find again in Carraig Aille I [LI032-053002-], and it was evidently intended to allow the gate when open to be set back flush with the sides of the entrance. Of more general significance is the change in the type of house-building as between the earliest layer and the subsequent ones. On the rock and clay surfaces which formed the original ground level of the site there were remains of a number of round houses. The term "round" as used here, implies that the houses had curvilinear outlines - not that they were formally circular in plan. They seemed to have been of very light construction since the position of the walls was in most cases marked by a single line of stones and these were generally only one course in height. As well as these house remains there were also post-holes cut in the rock surface but with one exception these were not associated with the circular houses. The exception is the post-hole in D 17 which lies in the line of the wall-arc to the west of it. This post-hole (diameter 8" [0.2m], depth 5½" [0.15m]) contained in it the partly decayed butt of a wooden post. It was covered by a stone paving which was in turn covered by another. The house remains found in the upper levels at Carraig Aille II represented more substantial buildings than those at the lower levels. Large areas of paving were found - not complete for any one house and not all contemporary -

• LI032-053004 Settlement cluster
  Description

  National monument No. 247. A cluster of excavated houses situated in area of rock outcrop 200m E of a small lake that was drained in the 19th century and which formed part of Lough Gur. The small lake had two islands known as 'Balie Islands' which are the remains of two crannóga (LI032-039001-/002-). Seven house sites with small enclosures are located immediately N of an excavated cashel (LI032-053003-) and SSE of Carraig Aille fort (LI032-053002-) also excavated by Ó Ríordáin. The seven excavated house sites and their enclosures were described by Ó Ríordáin (1949, 47-52) as following; 'The forts [LI032-053002-/003-] are separated by a distance of about 130' [40m], and in the area between, on the more level ground bordering Carraig Aille II [LI032-053002-], are the house sites and enclosures, the excavation of which will be described. As will be shown, the occupation of these house sites is connected with that of Carraig Aille II. There are indications of other but less definite house sites on the gentler southern slope of the ridge. With the exception of one excavated house site contiguous to the fort-wall on the south, it was not found practicable to excavate the more scattered sites on the hill-slope. One can only say therefore that they possibly indicate habitation over a wider area by the inhabitants of Carraig Aille II. One house was found immediately outside the fort rampart on the south in C 8 and C 9. Here there was a paved area about 24' [7.3m] by 8' [2.4m] bounded on the east and along part of its southern edge by the low remains of a wall. At its western end the southern wall turned southwards and could be traced for a short distance but the paving did not extend in this direction. On the western side of the paved area the very collapsed remains of a wall were seen ; at the southern end they merged unto a field bank which extended to a point 42' [13m] from the fort rampart. From here another field bank ran westward to the edge of the steep slope of the hill. Because of the collapsed character of the house wall on the western side of the paving it is not possible to be definite on the relation between house wall and field bank, but it seems likely that the latter is ancient and was built so as to terminate against the house, and, with the approximately parallel fragment of wall to the east, to form an approach to it. The paving was closely butted against the rampart, and it is clear that the rampart was used as the northern wall of the house. These house sites have already been mentioned as occupying the more level space north of Carraig Aille II. Before excavation they showed as a group of banks and mounds bounding approximately rectangular areas. Excavation showed that the walls they covered gave a more complex pattern than was indicated by the surface appearances. In general, however, the surface indications were confirmed in that a series of rectangular enclosures were uncovered. These were in some instances clearly houses, in others they seem to have been merely yards, while one was evidently part house part yard. For purposes of description each enclosure, whether house or yard will be referred to under the Roman numeral with which it is marked on the plans. No. I is the large enclosure occupying the north-east corner of the group. It is only approximately rectangular, the western side being longer than eastern. Its average internal measurements are 60' [18.3m] by 28' [8.5m]. The walls remained to an average height of 2' [0.6m] and were about 4' [1.2m] in thickness. They consisted, as did most of the other walls here, of a double facing of large stones - the local limestone - with a fill of rubble and earth. The walls around enclosure No. I were best on the east, south and along the eastern half of the north side. The west wall and the western portion of the north wall were less well constructed, being banks of small stones packed with hard yellow clay. At three of the corners the walls made sharp junctions which, though not exact right-angles, were well constructed. the wall at the east side were two breaks, one near the middle and one near the north-eastern corner. The break near the middle, though narrow, only 2' 8" [0.8m] in width, was evidently the entrance. The second break was still narrower, only 1' 9" [0.53m], and may have been due to collapse at the corner where the eastern wall was not bonded into the northern one. Inside the break which we have supposed to be the entrance was a hollow in the rock surface which was apparently natural (length 10' [3m], width 3' [0.9m], depth 9") but was surrounded by a single line of stones built in position. No. II, immediately south of No. I, was in ways the most satisfactory house discovered in this group. Its internal measurements were 30' 6" [9.3m] by 9' 6" [2.9m], the long axis running east and west. The walls were of an average height of 1' 6" [0.45m]. The eastern wall was a continuation of the eastern wall of No. I and the northern wall was common to No. I and No. II. The other walls were not bonded into these. The floor of the house was mainly the rock surface with some paving at the western end and in part a cover of hard packed yellow clay at the eastern end. Eight post-holes were found - of average diameter 9" [0.22m] and depth 10" [0.25m]. Seven of these were placed immediately inside the walls and were roughly paired along the length of the house; it was not possible however to find evidence of any post-hole in the north-eastern corner. One post-hole was near the centre of the house. No. III was the next enclosure to the south of No. II and again its eastern wall was a continuation of the eastern walls of Nos. I and II. This wall, in fact, formed an important and evidently early feature of the whole group, being bonded to the walls of No. I but not to the other walls to the south, which were only butted against it, showing that Nos. II, III, and IV were later buildings than No. I. The entrance to No. III was near the south-east corner - a doorway 5' 6" [1.67m] wide in the east wall. The preserved portion of the west wall ended sharply in D 26 and another doorway probably existed here. No. IV was an almost square house about 15' 6" [4.7m] by 13' 6" [4.1m] internal measurements, and was immediately south of No. III. As has been mentioned the party wall between IV and III did not bond into the long north-south wall on the east of the site. Similarly the western wall of No. IV did not bond into the long wall. The indications are that the large enclosure No. I with the long continuation of its eastern wall southwards towards the fort, was the first of the stone buildings on the site and that further houses were subsequently built to occupy the space between No. I and the fort rampart. No. V. west of No. IV was somewhat larger than the latter but, although the portions of paving which remained were good, the walls were very in definite. A portion of curved wall with some remains of paving on either side of it ran from the west of V to the fort rampart, west of the break in the latter. No. VI is a site which was twice rebuilt, and to explain the sequence a detailed plan is given. The earliest house had thick walls, about 4' [1.2m] in thickness, represented by the portions AB and CD. This house was paved. Over it was built a house represented by the fragment of wall EF and the conjectural plan shown by dotted lines. The last habitation on the site is represented by a wall fragment GH. No. VII was a large area bounded by No. I on the north side, by No. II and part of No. III on the east, and indefinitely by No. VI on the south. Except for a hearth and some post-holes in it nothing can be said about its use as house or yard'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 24 May 2018 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 162/1941). See attached ASI aerial photograph ASIAP – 349/5 taken 05/01/2003.

• LI032-054 Megalithic structure
  Description

  In rocky pasture on a NW-facing slope located 80m WSW of the Loughgur Cross. The Carraig Aille stone forts (LI032-053002-/003-) are located 235m to N; two crannóga known as 'Balie Islands' (LI032-039001-/002-) are located 550m to NW; a standing stone annotated ’Leagaun’ (LI032-061----) is located 90m to WSW and an archaeological investigation (Excavation Licence Ref: 04E0296), which uncovered archaeological features in 2004 (LI032-317----), is located 30m to S. The site is not depicted on any OSi historic maps. It is not visible on the OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 or on the Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. The site was first described in the early 19th century (Croker 1833, 110) and was described as ‘a tabular stone supported by three stones. It measures in length 7’ [2.13m], in breath 6’ [1.83m] at one end and 4’ [1.22m] at the other. It is one foot [0.3m] in thickness’. O'Kelly (1944, 24) considered it to be ‘a very doubtful site. The stones mentioned seem to be naturally outcropping boulders.’ It is not included in the Megalithic Survey for Co. Limerick either as a known or potential monument (De Valera and Ó Nualláin, 1982, 71-9). The field to the S of the megalithic structure (LI032-054----) was archaeologically investigated by Frank Coyne (Excavation Licence Ref: 02E1266) to see if the site was suitable for a domestic dwelling in 2002 (Coyne 2004, 338). Six trenches were opened by machine on the site, which was a level, grassy field. Each trench was 20m long and 1.5m wide. All were excavated down to the natural, a silty clay with occasional stones. No archaeological material was encountered. See attached Google Street View Oct 2019 and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 16 November 2020

• LI032-055 Flat cemetery
  Description

  In pasture on the S-facing lower slope of Knocksentry Hill, 550m E of the NE shore of Lough Gur. A standing stone annotated 'Leagaun' (LI032-051----) is located 80m to NW; Circle O (LI032-060----) lies 150m to SE as are a number of other smaller ‘stone circles’ and mounds (LI032-058/321/059----). The cemetery site is not depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch or 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch maps. The site is depicted as an antiquity annotated ‘Kistvaen Field’ on the Cassini OSi 6-inch map. A kistvaen or cistvaen is a tomb or burial chamber formed from flat stone slabs in a box-like shape. The OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 or Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013 shows the cemetery site as a grassy field. Several antiquarian and later archaeological accounts of burials are recorded in this field. Croker first referenced the site (1833, 110). Barry (1900, 374) described the sites as follows; ‘Close to the road on Knocksentry, the ancient cemetery remembered by the old people of the district, is not marked on the Ordnance Survey. John Hynes, aged 80 years, who says he was at the reclaiming of this field, which is now a rich pasture field, describes the digging up of some thirty stone-lined graves from six to seven feet in length, full of large human bones, and pointed out some of the stone slabs’. The burials are referred to by O’Kelly (1944, 24), where he described Kistvaen Field as, ‘The field has the above name on the O.S. map. There are various references to it by previous writers who say that stone cists and bones have been found here. There is a tradition in the neighbourhood that the field was a graveyard at one time. Parts of the field have been tilled repeatedly and in 1941 the whole field was ploughed up, but no indication of the presence of cists was found. A number of trial trenches were made at different parts of the ploughed area but the results were entirely negative’. The location of the site is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. The cemetery dates from either the Early Bronze Age or Early Christian period when stone cists or kistvaen were one of the inhumation burial rites. The site appears to be similar to the last phase of use of Circle J (LI032-022020-) on Knockadoon Peninsula. See attached Google Street View Oct 2009 and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 17 November 2020

• LI032-056001 Earthwork
  Description

  On rocky pasture on the summit of Knocksentry Hill (150m / 492 ft. OD) overlooking Lough Gur 650m to NE. The site is one of six monuments on and around the hill including the standing stone annotated 'Leagaun' (LI032-051----) located 250m to SW; a mound (LI032-056003-) located 75m to NE; an enclosure (LI032-056006-) located 180m tp ENE; a standing stone (LI032-056011-) located 320m to SE and a flat cemetery, annotated ‘Kistvaen Field’ (LI032-055----) 260m to SSW. Circle O (LI032-060----) and Circle P (LI032-059----) are 405m to S. The site is not depicted on 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map. It is depicted as an area of rock outcrop annotated 'Knocksentry' with adjacent trig. station on the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map. The Cassini OSi 6-inch map depicts an oval-shaped mound (ext. dims. c. 15m N-S; 20m E-W) with trig. station marking spot height 492 ft. OD on E quadrant of monument. The mound is visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 and on the Digital Globe orthoimage taken 2011-2013. The site is visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 05/04/2006; 28/06/2018 and 20/09/20200. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 23 November 2020

• LI032-056003 Mound
  Description

  In pasture 70m NE of the summit of Knocksentry Hill. The site is one of six monuments on and around the hill including the standing stone annotated 'Leagaun' (LI032-051----) located 340m to SW; an earthwork (LI032-056001-) located 75m to SW; an enclosure (LI032-056006-) located 110m to E; a standing stone (LI032-056011-) located 360m to SE and a flat cemetery, annotated ‘Kistvaen Field’ (LI032-055----) 340m to SSW. Circle O (LI032-060----) and Circle P (LI032-059----) are 475m to S. The site is not depicted on OSi historic maps. The mound is not visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 nor on the Digital Globe orthoimage taken 2011-2013. It was recorded during an archaeological field inspection by Celie O’Rahilly in 1996 on the E-facing slope of Knocksentry Hill (SMR File). The land was grazed and there were small pockets of natural rock outcrop and associated gorse on the hill. The field boundaries were either stone-faced earthen embankments or stone walls. A trackway extended to the E of the hill. O’Rahilly identified a ‘mound’ immediately W of ‘Field G’. The site is not visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 28/06/2018 and 20/09/20200. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 23 November 2020

• LI032-056006 Enclosure
  Description

  In pasture at the S end of a field bordering an old farm lane (oriented E-W) 175m ENE of the summit of Knocksentry Hill. The site is one of six monuments on and around the hill including a standing stone (LI032-051----) located 410m to SW; an earthwork (LI032-056001-) located 165m to WSW; a mound (LI032-056003-) located 110m to W; a standings stone (LI032-056011-) located 290m to SSE and a flat-cemetery, the ‘Kistvaen Field’ (LI032-055----) 375m to SW. Circle O (LI032-060----) and Circle P (LI032-059----) are 480m to SSW. The site is depicted with a rectangular house located in the SE corner of a sub-rectangular enclosure (ext. dims. c. 24m N-S; 37m E-W) on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map. A lane or farm track is depicted on the S side of the house and enclosure. The house is not depicted on the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map, while the rectangular enclosure is partially illustrated. The rectangular enclosure is visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimage taken 2011-2013. Cultivation ridges (lazy beds oriented E-W) survive in the field abutting the N enclosure boundary. The site was identified during an archaeological field inspection by Celie O’Rahillyin 1996 on the E-facing slope of Knocksentry Hill. Described by O’Rahilly as follows; 'Field F: The eastern half of the northern boundary is very overgrown and a new fence line has been put in, marked 3. Outside the property to the north of the track, marked 4 is a rectangular enclosure, measuring ca. 70m east-west by 40m wide' (SMR File, O'Rahilly 1996). The OSi 1840 map depicts the enclosure/haggard, lane and house as contemporary features. The orderly illustration of the trees on the line of the enclosure boundary suggest the site is occupied in the early 19th century, although the settlement is likely to be earlier. The historic map does not illustrate the enclosure spanning the S boundary (70m E-W) of the field, although the settlement enclosure on the mapping and the site recorded by O’Rahilly are considered to be one and the same. Likely to be the remains of a post-1700 enclosure contemporaneous with the farm building depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map. The earthwork is visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 05/04/2006; 16/03/2016; 25/03/2017 and 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 24 November 2020

• LI032-056011 Hut site
  Description

  On rocky pasture on the S-facing slope of Knocksentry Hill overlooking Knockadoon Peninsula located 1km to SW in an area known as Knockroe. The site is one of six monuments on and around the hill including the standing stone annotated 'Leagaun' (LI032-051----) located 330m to W; a mound (LI032-056003-) lies 350m to NNW; an enclosure (LI032-056006-) located 280m to N; an earthwork (LI032-056001-) located 325m to NW and a flat cemetery, annotated ‘Kistvaen Field’ (LI032-055----) 260m to W. Circle O (LI032-060----) and Circle P (LI032-059----) are 240m to SW. The site is not depicted on OSi historic maps. The ground at the site is visibly uneven and slopes S, although no definitive monument is visible on the OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 or on Digital Globe orthoimage taken 2011-2013. The site was discovered during an archaeological field inspection by Celie O’Rahilly in 1996 on Knocksentry Hill. The monument consisted of an anomalous stone group located in 'Field A'. The field boundaries were either stone-faced earthen embankments or stone walls. O’Rahilly identified ‘three stones visible forming an arch which surrounds a low mound’. The stones consisted of a recumbent stone (dims. 1m N-S; Wth. 0.35m), an upright stone with a stone setting at the base (H. 0.7m; 0.5m N-S; W. 0.25m) and an earthfast boulder (dims. 0.5m E-W; Wth. 0.4m; H. 0.25m). The boulder is located at the E of the field near a field boundary in which other stones may be located. The recumbent and upright stones are located to the W and are aligned N-S. There is a natural shelf to the W which was identified as a ‘possible hut site’. The location is visible on the Google Earth orthoimage taken 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. See attached Google Street View May 2009 and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 24 November 2020 See attached ASI aerial photograph ASIAP – 349/7 taken 05/01/2003.

• LI032-058 Stone circle
  Description

  In pasture within a flat field on the S lower slope of Knocksentry Hill also known as Knockroe, 650m E of the NE shore of Lough Gur. A cist burial cemetery (LI032-055----) is located 140m to NW; Circle O (LI032-060----) lies 40m to SW and Circle P (LI032-059---) is located 100m to S; as are a number of other mound sites (LI032-058/-321). The stone circle is not depicted on any OSi historic maps. The site is not visible on the OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 or on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. Barry (1900, 374) recorded that ‘the remarkable group of three stone forts on Knockroe, east of the lake, is not marked on the Ordnance Survey. At present there are only two, but Croker's map shows a third east of the existing ones’. The assumption is that first two sites are Circle O (LI032-060----) and Circle P (LI032-059---) and the third site to the ‘east’ is LI032-058----. O’Kelly (1944, 24) recounted Corker (1833, 110) and described LI032-058---- as having ‘stood beside Circles O and P No trace of it is now visible and there is no memory of it in the neighbourhood. It measured 28 yards [25.5m] and 113 [103m] in circumference’. The approximate location of the site is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. The site location is based on Croker’s map of 1833. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 17 November 2020

• LI032-059 Burial mound
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Small burial mound depicted as a small setting of stones depicted on current ed. OS 25 inch map and shown standing 20m SSE of a large embanked stone circle (LI032-060----) on the Hill of Knockroe. Described in 1833 as one of three stone circles (LI032-058----/60----) standing on the hill of Knockroe (Croker 1833, 109). Croker listed this site as 'N3' and recorded the following about the monument; 'No. 3, which lies forty-three yards south of No. 2 [LI032-058----], is thirty-seven yards [33m] distant from No. 1 [LI032-060----], and measures twenty-eight yards [25.6m] in diameter, and one hundred and thirteen [103m] in circumference' (ibid.). In 1912 this monument was listed as 'Stone Circle P' and described as following; 'The smaller or southern circle is situated a few yards from the greater. It is a flat-topped mound surrounded externally with slabs of limestone, some of which project above the level of the bank, others being practically coterminous with it and covered with grass above. No stone projects more than 18 inches [0.45m] above the height of the bank. The extreme width of this circle is 33 feet [10m], and the surface of the mound is 3 feet [0.9m] above the level of the field around. To the west of this circle are two recumbent stones. The, bearing taking from the centre of the circle through the middle of the interval, between the two is 233°. The distance of the northern stone from the centre of the circle is 43 feet [13m], of the southern 40 feet [12m], and the distance of the northern from the southern is 25 feet 6 inches [8m]. It will be noticed that the smaller circle is not unlike the central part of the greater one, that is to say, it has a raised bank surrounded by stones, but there are no indications whatsoever of any portion having been double-ranked' (Windle 1912, 302-4). This monument was described by O'Kelly (1944, 27) as following; 'a flat-topped mound surrounded by a kerb of stones some of which are slightly higher than the level of the interior. There is no entrance. The overall diameter is 33' [10m] and the surface of the interior is 3' [0.9m] higher than the surrounding field. It might be looked upon as a truncated tumulus with a stone kerb. On excavation it produced two burials in urns dating to the bronze age'. In 1978 the monument was described as 'Circle P has an overall diam. of only 10m and consists of a kerb-like setting of contiguous stones around the edge of a flat circular platform. Whether it should be considered a stone circle at all is debatable. Perhaps, it was originally a kerbed tumulus, the upper part of which is now gone, built into an adjacent fence, perhaps. Or it may have been a 'cairn circle' or kerb-cairn' of kinds known in Wales and Scotland. In the NE quadrant two pottery vessels described as 'urns' were found' (O'Kelly and O'Kelly 1978, 26). Today the circular shaped burial mound is clearly visible on Digital Globe aerial photograph. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 25 May 2018

• LI032-060 Stone circle - embanked
  Description

  National monument No. 247. Monument depicted as a two circular-shaped setting of stones on current ed. OS 25 inch map and shown standing 20m NNW of a small burial mound (LI032-059----) on the Hill of Knockroe. Described in 1833 as one of three stone circles (LI032-058----/59----) standing on the Hill of Knockroe (Croker 1833, 109). Croker listed this site as 'N1' and recorded the following about the monument; 'Of these No. 1 was the most perfect. It measured in circumference one hundred and ninety-two yards, and had two or perhaps three circles of stones within the outward one. The centre of these circles measured fourteen yards in diameter' (ibid.). In 1912 this monument was listed as 'Stone Circle O' and described as following; 'The greater or northern circle is locally-called the Lisheen. As the figures 16 and 17 show, it has been disfigured by the fact that an earthen wall has been run right through from east to west and slightly to the north of the middle line, and that the eastern side has also been much broken up walls. As the section (fig. 19) shows, this circle consists of (1) a circular bank with (a) a circle of stones surrounding and standing up from its outer border, and (b) a stone wall of slabs lining the upper bank directed towards the centre of the circle. (2) A central bank surrounded by a series of stones along its outer edge. It would appear therefore that the bank supporting the inner circle, and possibly also that of the outer circle, had been heaped up from earth in the interior of the space, and this will therefore account for the fact that the floor between the two circles is at a lower level than the circumjacent field. The outer circle, as already stated, is very much broken up ; and it is impossible to say of how many stones it may originally have consisted, or even with any approach to certainty how many of the stones now existing belong to the ancient structure. There are thirty-three stones in the central circle (see fig. 17), most of them being placed very close to one another. They are of tabular limestone, and the highest is 4 feet [1.2m]. This inner circle for a short distance on the eastern side is doubled - that is to say, there is a pathway between two rows of the stones. Fifteen feet east of this double-ranked portion is a straight bank co-extensive in length with the double-ranked part, and bordered by four smaller-sized stones. There is no other sign of double ranking in this circle. The double-ranked part is 11 feet wide where it exists, and 30 feet [10m] in length. The bank with the four stones is therefore also 30 feet [10m] ' (Windle 1912, 302-03). This monument was described by O'Kelly (1944, 26) as following; 'This circle, called locally "The Lisheen" has been excavated. It consists of an earthen bank with a facing of stone on each side. Inside this, excavation showed that there was a fosse. In the centre is a small circle of free standing stones concentric with the outer stone faced bank. The diameter of the outer circle is 184' [56m] and that of the inner small one is 49' [15m]. No dating evidence was discovered'. In 1978 the monument was described as following; 'It is 56m in overall diam. and consists of an earthen bank faced on both sides with standing slabs of stone. The position of the original entrance is not known. Excavation showed that there was a ditch inside the bank and beyond the ditch there was an annular space surround a central circle of contiguous stones. The inner circle was 15m in overall diam. In the NE quadrant of the circle a pile of boulders was revealed which ahd been thrown together without any apparent arrangement. there were no finds and hence the date is unknown. Because of the finding of a ditch inside the bank, the site is considered to have been a ritual one' (O'Kelly and O'Kelly 1978, 24-5). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 25 May 2018

• LI032-061 Standing stone
  Description

  National Monument No. 247. Standing stone marked N on 1912 map of Lough Gur (Windle 1912, 306). Described by Windle as following; 'At Lough Gur Cross there is a tabular limestone gallaun, the long axis of which bears 200°. It is 6 feet [1.8m] in height, 6 feet 9 inches [2.05m] in width at the base, and 5 feet 3 inches [1.6m] at the upper part. It is 1 foot 9 inches [0.53m] thick at the base and 1 foot [0.3m] thick at the top. As it lies in a garden at the back of a house, it is not possible to correlate it with any horizon-bearings' (ibid., 302). O'Kelly (1944, 29) considered this standing stone as one of five standing stones (LI032-049-/050-/051-) which marked the line or routeway of an ancient road running through Lough Gur (O'Kelly 1942, 87). This ancient road was described by O'Kelly (1942, 87) as 'one which runs from Lough Gur Cross, approximately in a straight line, and in a north-north-west direction till it crosses the barony boundary. It is continued for some distance through the next barony, that of Clanwilliam, on the north of Small County. The track is only visible as such for a short distance in the townland of Ballingoola (Cahercorney Ph.) where it consists of a slight ridge which is marked by three standing stones [LI023-115/072-/-116-/073-/074-/075-/116-] fairly widely separated from one another. When the track ran across a freshly ploughed field in this townland, the plough had turned up much of the road surface which as of broken limestone. Elsewhere the track is shown by a total of twelve standing stones, nine in Small County and three in Clanwilliam'. Present remains consists of a roughly rectangular shaped stone (dims. 1.2m H x 1.88m Wth x 0.3m T) with its long axis aligned N-S which has been incorporated into W facing hedgerow/field boundary beside Lough Gur crossroads and adjacent to a water pump. A poorly preserved slate National Monument sign encased in concrete stands a few meters W of the standing stone. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 25 September 2018

• LI032-065 Standing stone
  Description

  In rocky pasture on the brow of a ridge extending S from Knocksentry Hill with views to the S. The Carriggalla Forts (LI032-053002-/003-) are 450m to SW; Circle O (LI032-060----) is located 240m to NW and Circle P (LI032-059----) lies 210m to NW. Not depicted on the historic OSi maps as an antiquity. It is not visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 or on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. The standing stone is one of five identified by O’Kelly (1944, 29) that appear to be ancient. He described the stone as ‘390’ OD [119m] a rough limestone slab 3’ 4” [1.02m] high and 3' [0.91m] by 1' 3" [0.38m] at the base. It is well weathered’. Grogan (1989, Vol. 2, 271) attached the site name of ‘Lough Gur 8’ to the monument within his PhD thesis. The location of the site is visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. The standing stone does not appear to survive above ground level. Future fieldwork should attempt to locate the site. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 19 November 2020 See attached ASI aerial photograph ASIAP – 349/7 taken 05/01/2003.

• LI032-066 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  In pasture on a slight SE-facing slope with goods views in all directions 130m WSW of the townland boundary with Cahercorney. Located 100m SW of the cashel (LI032-068----); 300m E of a standing stone (LI032-065----) and 400m NW of Knockbolg House (NIAH Reg. No. 21903217). The site is not depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map. Depicted as an oval embanked enclosure (ext. diam. c. 32m NE-SW; 25m NW-SE) with an opening (Wth. c. 5m) in the NE side on the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map. O’Kelly (1944, 28) described the cashel (LI032-068----) to the NE. The site is covered by sod that has accumulated over the bank or enclosure that defines the site visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. The site may have originally been a cashel. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 18 November 2020 See attached ASI aerial photograph ASIAP - 304/36 taken 13/09/2002.

• LI032-068 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In pasture on a slight SE-facing slope with goods views in all directions 5m W of the townland boundary with Cahercorney where a small stream runs S. Located 100m NE of a cashel (LI032-066----); 450m ENE of a standing stone (LI032-065----) and 390m NNW of Knockbolg House (NIAH Reg. No. 21903217). The site is not depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map. Depicted as a circular embanked enclosure (ext. diam. c. 28m) on the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map. O’Kelly (1944, 28) described the site as a stone fort consisting of ‘a small structure now very collapsed. On the W side where a modern fence has been built the rampart has entirely disappeared. A gap 15’ [4.57m] wide on the E side is probably the entrance. None of the facing stones of the bank are visible. There is no fosse. The overall diameter is 88’ [26.82m] and the maximum height of the rampart is 4’ [1.22m]. Situated on the SE side of Knockroe Hill’. The site is covered by sod that has accumulated over the cashel bank visible on Google Earth orthoimages taken 20/03/2018; 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 18 November 2020 See attached ASI aerial photograph ASIAP - 304/36 taken 13/09/2002.

• LI032-071003 Earthwork
  Description

  In flat gently undulating wet pasture 18m NW of the junction of three townlands (Loughgur, Moohane and Kilcullane). The site is located 1km SE of the Carraig Aille stone forts (LI032-053002-/003-) at Lough Gur. The site is part of a complex of archaeological monuments comprising of a multi-vallate ringfort (LI032-071001-) with possible settlement earthworks (LI032-071004-) abutting the SE side; with an earthwork (LI032-071003-) located 30m NW of the ringfort (LI032-071001-). The site is not depicted on historic OSi maps. Identified (LI032-071003-) by Bruff aerial photographic survey in 1986 (Bruff 177; AP 4/3606) as an earthwork NW of a ringfort (LI032-071001-), the site appears as a circular dark area in the photo suggesting a pond or negative feature. The circular feature (ext. diam. c. 18m N-S; 17m E-W) is visible on the OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12; Digital Globe orthoimage taken 2011-2013 and Google Earth orthoimages taken 05/04/2006; 25/03/2017; 28/06/2018 and 20/09/2020. See attached Bruff survey image labelled Bruff 177 and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 19 November 2020 See attached ASI aerial photograph ASIAP - 349/1 taken 13/09/2002.

• LI032-187 Field system
  Description

  Archaeological landscape of Lough Gur consists of a concentration of monuments connected by a complex series of field systems and linear earthworks and cropmarks which indicate an area rich in archaeological monuments. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 19 July 2018

• LI032-312 Cist
  Description

  In rocky area known as Back Hill, 365m WSW of spot height on Knockadoon (446ft/136m OD), which overlooks Lough Gur and Garret Island to W. Surrounded by a rich complex of prehistoric monuments including a cist (LI032-313----) which lies to the immediate NE and an enclosure (LI032-022020-), a standing stone (LI032-022021-), prehistoric house sites (LI032-022006/009/010-/012-/013/014/015/016/019) and Seeaghanmnatee (LI032-022002-) all in close vicinity. Not depicted on OSi historic maps. Monument identified by the Archaeological Survey of Ireland as a cist from a site inspection carried out by Matt Kelleher in December 2005. Monument is not clearly visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-2012, or on Digital Globe orthophoto or on Google Earth orthoimage 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimage. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 29 November 2020

• LI032-313 Cist
  Description

  In rocky area known as Back Hill, 365m WSW of spot height on Knockadoon (446ft/136m OD), which overlooks Lough Gur and Garret Island to W. Surrounded by a rich complex of prehistoric monuments including a cist (LI032-313----) which lies to the immediate NE and an enclosure (LI032-022020-), a standing stone (LI032-022021-), prehistoric house sites (LI032-022006/009/010-/012-/013/014/015/016/019) and Seeaghanmnatee (LI032-022002-) all in close vicinity. Not depicted on OSi historic maps. Monument identified by the Archaeological Survey of Ireland as a cist from a site inspection carried out by Matt Kelleher in December 2005. Monument is not clearly visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-2012, or on Digital Globe orthophoto or on Google Earth orthoimage 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimage. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 29 November

• LI032-314 Cist
  Description

  In rocky hill, on top of a limestone crag (300ft/91m), on the N side of Knockadoon, which overlooks Lough Gur to NW. A second cist (LI032-315----) is at the same location and a cave (LI032-022025-) lies 30m to NW. Not depicted on OSi historic maps. Cist uncovered and recorded as Feature 30 during archaeological excavation in 1987 Rose Cleary on Knockadoon Hill. The results of the excavation were summarised as follows; 'The excavation took place for a ten-week period from 26 May to 31 July 1987 and was funded by a grant from the Royal Irish Academy. Three cist graves were excavated in 1987 and these were confined to the northern end of the site. One cist (Feature 30) was trapezoidal in plan and constructed from irregularly shaped limestone blocks. The human remains were of 4 children and segments of an adult hand' (Cleary 1988, 20-1). Area of excavation is obscured by woodland and is not clearly visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-2012, or on Digital Globe orthophoto or on Google Earth orthoimage 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 29 November 2020

• LI032-315 Cist
  Description

  In rocky hill, on top of a limestone crag (300ft/91m), on the N side of Knockadoon, which overlooks Lough Gur to NW. A second cist (LI032-315----) is at the same location and a cave (LI032-022025-) lies 30m to NW. Not depicted on OSi historic maps. Cist uncovered and recorded as Feature 34 during archaeological excavation in 1987 Rose Cleary on Knockadoon Hill. The results of the excavation were summarised as follows; 'The excavation took place for a ten-week period from 26 May to 31 July 1987 and was funded by a grant from the Royal Irish Academy. Three cist graves were excavated in 1987 and these were confined to the northern end of the site. A second cist (Feature 34) was rectangular in plan and made from very regular limestone slabs. The floor was paved. The human remains were from one infant with the skull to the east' (Cleary 1988, 20-1). Area of excavation is obscured by woodland and is not clearly visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-2012, or on Digital Globe orthophoto or on Google Earth orthoimage 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 29 November 2020

And 5 more.

Architectural heritage

• Lake View, house, 1820–1890 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached five-bay single-storey with attic house, built c. 1830, having single-bay single-storey lean-to to rear (north-east) elevation with adjoining outbuilding. Outbuildings around courtyard date to the late nineteenth century. Pitched slate roof having cast-iron roof lights to rear, rendered chimneystacks and cast-iron rainwater goods. Rubble limestone walls. Cast-iron patris plates to rear. Square-headed openings with replacement timber casement windows and limestone sills. Square-headed opening having glazed overlight over replacement double-leaf timber panelled doors. Nine-bay single-storey outbuilding to north-east with pitched slate roof. Render over rubble limestone walls. Square-headed window openings. Square-headed openings having timber battened half-doors. Three-bay single-storey outbuilding to east with pitched slate roof. Roughcast render over rubble limestone walls. Square-headed opening having red brick voussoirs and timber casement window. Square-headed opening with timber battened door. Segmental-headed carriage arch having red brick voussoirs. Three-bay single-storey outbuilding to west having pitched slate roof. Roughcast rendered walls. Square-headed opening with inset spoked window and square-headed opening having timber battened door with shared red brick voussoirs. Segmental-headed carriage arch with red brick voussoirs. Pair of square-profile roughcast rendered piers having single-leaf cast-iron gate and roughcast rendered boundary walls.

• Kiln, 1870–1890 · Regional interest
  Description

  Freestanding square-plan limestone limekiln, built c. 1880. Rubble stone walls with dressed voussoirs to segmental-headed arch, having inset recessed red brick arch.

• Loughgur Farm, house, 1780–1800 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay two-storey over basement house, built c. 1790, with bay windows to front (south) elevation and gable-fronted extension to rear (north) elevation. Hipped slate roof with rendered chimneystacks, overhanging eaves having timber brackets and cast-iron rainwater goods. Rendered walls. Round-headed openings to first floor with two-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows and painted stone sills. Square-headed opening to centre-bay, first floor having tripartite one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows and painted stone sill. Square-headed openings to bay windows with two-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows, flanking one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows and shared painted stone sills. Round-headed openings to first floor and basement, east and west elevations having two-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows and painted stone sills. Those to basement with cast-iron sill guards. Square-headed opening to east and west elevations, first floor having tripartite one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows and painted stone sills. Segmental-headed opening with carved timber pilasters, glazed overlight over timber panelled door having flanking sidelights with timber risers. Limestone steps to entrance. Square-headed opening to rear having timber battened door. Five-storey tower house to north-west.

• Maura's Cottage, house, 1840–1860 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached four-bay single-storey lobby entry thatched house, built c. 1850, having three-bay single-storey extension to south elevation and windbreak to front (east) elevation. Pitched thatched roofs with brick chimneystack. Rendered walls. Square-headed openings having two-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows with painted stone sills. Square-headed opening having timber battened half-door. Rubble limestone boundary walls to east having square-profile piers and single-leaf wrought-iron gate.

• Knockbologue House, house, 1810–1830 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay two-storey house, built c. 1820, with lean-to to west elevation and bay window to east elevation. Hipped slate roof having red brick chimneystacks and overhanging eaves with cast-iron brackets. Roughcast rendered walls having render plinth course. Square-headed openings with two-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows and limestone sills. Square-headed openings to bay window having one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows with shared limestone sill. Square-headed opening to east elevation, first floor having bipartite one-over-one pane timber sliding sash window and painted stone sill. Round-headed window to first floor, rear elevation having two-over-two pane timber sliding sash window and painted stone sill. Segmental-heading opening with render surround and glazed overlight over timber panelled door having flanking sidelights and timber risers.

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

At the centre of the townland of Loughgur, about 1 in 10 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as high, moderately high, moderately low, low, partly inferred. Parts of the land are water.

Terrain model

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

Flooding

The Office of Public Works publishes its flood maps on floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, and Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland, both under 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 Loughgur with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Limerick.

Name

Loughgur · Loch Goir

Area

5,082,164 m² (508.22 ha, 1,255.83 acres)

Civil parish

Knockainy, and its townlands

Barony

Smallcounty

Electoral division

Knockainy, the unit of the census

Census 2022

784 people lived in 279 households in the Knockainy electoral division. 86% of households owned their home. 27% of homes were built since 2001. 7% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 1% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Ballingoola, Ballynagallagh, Cahercorney, Grange, Kilballyowen, Kilcullane, Knockfennell, Moohane, Patrickswell, Rawleystown

Placenames

Loughgur 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.