Part 2: Chapter 18: Tomfinlough Parish: Mooghaun South Townland
| Site C: STONEFORT | |
| 6” O.S. Sheet number : | 42 (Co. Clare) |
| Reference : | 19.9 cm South; 41.0 cm East |
| Height : | c. 230’ O.D. |
| Shape : | circular |
Description of site:
Previously, while describing the features of the Middle Wall at Mooghaun
Hillfort, reference was made to the poor condition of this centre wall
along a 30 metre stretch. This poor condition was attributed to the presence
of a stonefort, the site now under study. I refer one to the aerial photo
taken during the 1960’s. This clearly shows wide gaps in the middle
wall (Mooghaun Hillfort) to the north-west and south-east of the site
under study. As was also mentioned in relation to the previous site,
i.e. Stonefort A, such gaps are due to the erection of the later stonefort,
which used the earlier hillfort defences as a source of building stone.
What are the principal features of this site? It is a single walled site, the wall of which can be followed over the full fort, an exception being a small area to the south-east where the sole entrance occurs. This gap is 1 metre wide and 2 metres deep and it leads one into a circular, largely vegetation free, interior. Field measurements for this internal part of the stonefort centred on 30 metres, north-south and east-west.
An interesting feature occurs within the site, to the south-east. Within 3 metres of the entrance area is a possible oval shaped house site. This feature is up against the site’s wall and is enclosed by wall foundations, 1 to 1 ½ metres wide and ½ to ¾ metres high. The enclosed area is some 4 metres north-south by 3 metres east-west. Again a close examination of the aerial photograph (1960’s) shows this feature and the area of the original entrance.
What of the single wall? This can be clearly followed, as previously stated, over the full stonefort. It averages 1 ½ to 2 metres in width by 1 ½ metres high over the north-eastern area. Because of the sloping nature of the ground in this area of Mooghaun Hill the wall survives to a height of 2 metres outside, to the south-west, though with the site’s interior of a trellised nature the wall, on the inside, appears to be some 1 ½ metres high along its full course.
No other features of particular interest were noted at this stonefort.
Mooghaun South C: Shot into the stonefort, from the south-east.
The
entrance gap is 1 metre high and 2 metres deep.
