County: Clare Site name: BALLYCONRY
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: —
Author: D.B. Gibson, U.S.A.
Site type: Enclosure
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 527966m, N 799013m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.033590, -9.069710
The existence of a large prehistoric enclosure on a hillslope overlooking the Carron valley was at first suggested by the presence of a modern enclosed field in this location. It was decided to excavate a portion of this field to test this assumption. The excavation of a unit, 2m x 4m in extent, across the wall revealed the existence of an older stone wall built of upright slabs placed at cross-angles to the course of the wall. These were supported by and also retained a filling of stones (all limestone as were the slabs). A superstructure of very large slabs may have existed as well. Small pieces of flint, chipped limestone, bone, wood, and charcoal were recovered from the deposits. The charcoal was found in the basal level and will be submitted for radiocarbon dating.
The site is c.150m in diameter. The portion of wall excavated was c.2m thick and c.60cm high. The site is located directly above a smaller prehistoric enclosure with a souterrain.
