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EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

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Roscommon<br />

‘Rathcroghan’, Co. Roscommon<br />

Iron Age Settlement Complex.<br />

Grid Ref: See below<br />

SMR No: See below<br />

Excavation Licence: N/A<br />

Excavation Duration/Year: June - July 1981.<br />

Site Director: J. Waddell (University College, Galway).<br />

<strong>The</strong> site consists of a complex of enclosures spread a number of townlands, dating from the<br />

Iron Age, and traditionally associated with the royal site of the province of Connaught. A<br />

series of surveys and excavations have been conducted on these sites over the years (those<br />

sites with early medieval potential are summarised below). Excavation was undertaken at<br />

‘Dathi’s Mound’, and this returned radiocarbon dates from the Iron Age, but surveys at<br />

‘Relignaree’ and ‘Rathmore’, especially, indicate that these sites were occupied during the<br />

early medieval period, although no more definite dating or information may be obtained<br />

without excavation.<br />

‘Rathbeg’ (Toberrory td.):<br />

Grid Ref: M79758415 (179750/284150)<br />

SMR No: RO022-057001<br />

This site consists of an enclosure (45m in diameter).<br />

‘Rathcroghan Mound’ (Toberrory td.):<br />

Grid Ref: M78008367 (1780010/283670)<br />

SMR No: RO022-057010<br />

This feature consists of a large mound (65m diameter at the base, sloping to 32m at the top),<br />

set in the middle of the complex. <strong>The</strong> top of the mound appears to have been originally<br />

surrounded by a low bank, and enclosed a low mound (5m by 4m by 4m in height).<br />

‘Rathmore’ (Toberrory td.):<br />

Grid Ref: M79588453 (179580/284532)<br />

SMR No: RO022-056017<br />

This site consists of a raised platform (27m by 30.4m in internal diameter, and a maximum of<br />

5.3m high), surrounded by a low bank (about 1m in height). An apparent revetment of stonewalling<br />

has been exposed in the side of the mound. This is located on the top of a hillock,<br />

and the site is further defined lower down the slope by a ditch (average width of 5m) which<br />

encloses an area with diameter of 74m. Gradiometric and magnetic susceptibility surveys on<br />

the summit of the platform suggests that this was an artificial construct, and that a large<br />

circular structure (15m in diameter) occupied this area.<br />

‘Rathnadarve’ (Toberrory td.):<br />

Grid Ref: M79428368 (179420/283680)<br />

SMR No: RO022-057003<br />

This site consists of a circular enclosure (85m in diameter), surrounded by a bank (on<br />

average 2.2m high and 5m wide), and a shallow external ditch (6m in width and 0.5m deep).<br />

‘Cashelmanannan’ (Glenballythomas td.):<br />

Grid Ref: M78818268 (178810/282680)<br />

546

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