A Survey of Monuments of Archaeological and Historical Interest in the Barony of Bunratty Lower, Co. Clare: Part 2: Chapter 18: Tomfinlough Parish: Granaghan Beg Townland: Site A: Stonefort

Clare County Library

Clare Archaeology

A Survey of Monuments of Archaeological and Historical Interest in the Barony of Bunratty Lower, Co. Clare by William Gerrard Ryan

Part 2: Chapter 18: Tomfinlough Parish: Granaghan Beg Townland

Site A: STONEFORT

6” O.S. Sheet number :	42 (Co. Clare)
Reference :	10.4 cm South; 32.4 cm East
Height :	100’ O.D.
Shape :	circular nature

Description of site:
This stonefort is a short distance from both Granaghan Beg and Ballycar Loughs. It is also close to the Limerick-Ennis Railway line which passes within 40 metres of the site.

Field examination found it to be in a poor condition. It was not that the site had been interfered with, the strength of folklore locally had ensured this, but rather vegetation has been given a free hand. It is now difficult to enter the site, with the area about the single stone wall overgrown with trees and bushes. It is only the centre interior that is vegetation free and this has no features of interest. What did field work find?

Stonewall:
This can be traced over much of the site though covered, as stated previously, by a heavy vegetation covering. In the northern area it averages 40 cm in height by almost 4 metres in width, due to its crumbled nature. Field work was unable to find the original entrance area.

Interior:
This area, circular in shape, has no features of interest. Measurements for the internal diameters (i.e. north-south and east-west) centre on 25 metres.

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