Ballycasey Monuments

National Monuments Service

According to the National Monuments Service there is one ringfort and two enclosures in Ballycasey townland.  A possible souterain was also found many years ago, but has since been closed up.

Ringfort – Unclassified (GA056-007—-)

In undulating grassland. Heavily overgrown roughly circular cashel (D c. 40m) defined by a collapsed drystone wall from W through N to S. Field-clearance rubble has obscured much of the enclosing element. A gap (Wth 3.1m) at SE may be original. In NW sector of the interior, a rectangular structure (L 7m), defined by a grassed-over stone wall, may be associated or related to a ‘leacht’ which the landowner said was located in this area.

Souterrain (GA056-010—-)

On a S-facing slope. According to local information, a ‘cave’ was discovered here many years ago while digging potatoes. It was subsequently closed up because of danger to livestock. The access appears to have been through a lintelled roof and the interior was described as ‘square’. No visible surface trace survives.

Enclosure (GA056-009—-)

On level grassland. Marked on 1st ed. of OS 6-inch map as a circular enclosure (D c. 60m). What survives is a small five-sided field which may overlie the earlier enclosing element.

Enclosure (GA056-008—-)

In low-lying grassland. Subcircular enclosure (NE-SW 37m) defined by an earthen bank overlain by a field wall from SE to SW. A scarp forms the enclosing element at SW and from NE to SE. No visible surface trace survives elsewhere. A field wall cuts the monument at NE and SW.

The above descriptions are derived from the published ‘Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. II – North Galway’. Compiled by Olive Alcock, Kathy de hÓra and Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). Date of upload: 05 August 2010

 

Other Historical Landmarks

Not recorded on the National Monuments Service map, there is also a lime kiln in the townland of Ballycasey (picture 7).

 

Please note:  All of the monuments and historical sites listed here are on private property and should not be accessed or entered without prior permission from the landowner.