Ballydonnellan Monuments

National Monuments Service

According to the National Monuments Service there are four ringforts, a souterainn, a mound, and a sweathouse located in Ballydonnellan townland. There is also a circular house in ruins, and one other house listed without detail.

Ringfort (GA056-013—- )

Situated in grassland. Circular cashel (D 37m), in fair condition, defined by a collapsed drystone wall overlain throughout by a field wall. Numerous gaps in the enclosing element appear modern. There is a souterrain (GA056-013001-) in W half of the interior and just SE of centre is an irregular mound (E-W; L 9m, Wth 6m).

Souterrain (GA056-013001-)

Located within W half of ringfort (GA056-013—-). A trapezoidal drystone-built chamber (L 3.2m), running E-W, narrowing towards W end. Present access is through a breach at E end. A line of stones (L 2m) running further E, from E end, suggests that the souterrain originally extended further in this direction.

Ringfort (A056-011—- )

Situated in low-lying grassland. Very poorly preserved circular cashel (D c. 45m) defined by a grassed-over drystone wall overlain by a field wall from NW through N to NE. A scarp forms the enclosing element at SW. No visible surface trace survives elsewhere.

Ringfort (GA056-012—-) 

Situated on a gentle S-facing slope. Poorly preserved circular cashel (D c. 35m) defined by a drystone wall visible only at NE; elsewhere it is overlain by a field wall. Within the interior, which is densely overgrown, are three ruinous field walls, probably modern.

Ringfort (GA056-014—-)

Situated in a low-lying area of grassland and rock outcrop. Poorly preserved almost circular cashel (D c. 40m) defined by a drystone wall. A field wall cuts the monument at NE and SW and no visible surface trace survives to NW of it. Two circular houses (GA056-017—-) lie c. 30m to E and NE respectively.

Mound (GA056-015—- )

Situated in gently undulating grassland. Marked on 1st ed. of OS 6-inch map as a circular enclosure (D c. 50m) in the corner of a field. What is visible is a low flat-topped earthen mound (WSW-ENE 67.1m, H 1.5m max.), oval in plan, its edges only faintly defined save in N sector.

Sweathouse (A056-016—- )

House (GA056-017—-)

Located some 30m to E and NE of a ringfort (GA056-014—-). A much-ruined circular house (D 12m) defined by a double drystone wall and a rubble core; best preserved from NW to SE. A rectangular structure (Wth 1.4m) built into the wall at WNW may be a later insertion. A similar house (D 5.8m, H 0.75m) lies immediately to SE. A gap at NW may be original.

House (GA056-017001-)

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 

 

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.