Co. Antrim: Inventory Part 2

***Notes:
- Unfortunately, due to the heavy picture-content of these pages, this blog might not be suited to mobile browsing. 
- Throughout this blog, GE stands for Google Earth and SMR for Site and Monument Records held by the DOENI. 
- Click to enlarge all pictures in this post. Pictures are best viewed in darker conditions (details and faint features will not be visible in GE while in a sunny room for instance). Also bear in mind that the images here are copies and extractions from GE, a process which already invariably causes a loss in definition. 
- Please feel free to share this blog if you know anybody who might have an interest in its contents!***

Welcome back!

First of all, I must apologise for not having updated this blog sooner, a few health issues prevented me to work heavily on the project then several other things cropped up...



I now hope to resume the publication of the County inventories as intended...

Inventory Part 2 of Co. Antrim will focus on the southwest part of the County and the distribution of sites mentioned in the text is shown below. 

This post will also highlight the fact that GE can also be a great tool to gather new data for sites that are already recorded, but for which data are scant or altogether missing (e.g. for unlocated and destroyed sites). 

Co. Antrim: Inventory Part 1 - Location of sites presented in this post.

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ANT13smr - Rath - multivallate.
Lat: 54°31'48.80"N; Long: 6° 5'51.01"W (J 23212 66316); Td: Knockadona;
Status: Recorded as ANT063:033

SMR summary: "On a small eminence in good arable land. The fort & adjacent house have been levelled. All that remains is a circular area 35m diam. At the W side a very slight scarp remains 0.3m high. This, together with the map convention suggests the site is probably a rath."

Although levelled, this great winter view from GE offers here a much clearer impression of this monument, found only c.170m N of raised rath ANT063:034. There is no-doubt that this site was a large rath, now showing with an external of diameter of at least 65m. The new details also indicate that the site was a multivallate monument comprised of an inner bank (surrounding the circular area formerly identified in the SMR), ditch and outer bank. There are also traces of a potential feature at SE, which may correspond to an entrance into the site.


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ANT14smr - Rath;
Lat: 54°31'34.66"N; Long: 6° 6'16.81"W (J 22760 65866); Td: Moneybroom;
Status: may be recorded as ANT063:076?

On a slight eminence, remains of a well-defined rath (max. diameter 50m) showing an internal area surrounded by bank and outer ditch.

While there is nothing recorded at the present location, it should be mentioned that the SMR contains the following about ANT0633:076, a site classified as 'unlocated enclosure' and located c.150m to S:  
"This enclosure is mentioned in the OS memoirs as "a fort which is now destroyed". It can not now be located."

ANT14 could either correspond to this lost monument or simply represent a new and as yet unrecorded rath.  


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ANT15smr - Sub-square Enclosure?
Lat: 54°31'41.28"N; Long: 6° 6'42.15"W (J 22299 66059); Td: Moneybroom;
Status: Recorded as part of ANT063:032.

Situated immediately W of Rath ANT063:032, this feature has been previously described in various terms:
In the OS Memoirs: 7yds to W of fort, two small features 7yds in diameter.
In a field record from 1978 (SMR): "One of the smaller sites to the West is quite tracable. Looks like a barrow. Small domed area, surrounded by a ditch".

Here on GE however, this feature appears quite different since it is visible as a c.20x20m sub-square enclosure (max. external size) with a well defined wide ditch.




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ANT16 - Prehistoric Complex?;
Lat: 54°30'16.64"N; Long: 6° 5'11.66"W (J 23997 63486); Td: Teraghfeeva / Lissue;
Status: unrecorded.

Situated on low ground, alongside a small tributary of the Lagan River:

traces of a possible complex of at least 9 circular features (diam. c.8-11m) showing on four different time frames.

The location was visited during Summer 2014 but the ground was too wet and overgrown to enable proper viewing of the site.

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ANT17 - Embanked Enclosure;
Lat: 54°31'8.40"N; Long: 6° 7'25.54"W (J 21546 65021); Td: Magheragall;
Status: unrecorded.

Traces of sub-oval embanked enclosure truncated at N by Brookmount Rd and a railway line.  Externally, it appears to have been at least 60x60m, with a bank of considerable width.  

Note: Enclosure also visible on GE layers 6/5/2008 (w/ bank material standing out from ploughed field) and 24/3/2012.

 

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ANT18 - Rath (raised?);

Lat: 54°30'59.13"N; Long: 6° 7'38.69"W (J 21317 64728); Td: Mullaghcarton;

Status: unrecorded.

Immediately S of Mullaghcarton Rd and c.340m SW of previous site ANT17:  large circular raised platform, c.45m in diameter. 

 

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ANT19 - Possible Earthworks; 

Lat: 54°30'57.83"N; Long: 6° 8'0.52"W (J 20925 64678); Td: Mullaghcarton;

Status: unrecorded.

About 350m W of previous site ANT18: 

complex of possible earthworks comprising a sub-rectangular bank/ditch feature c.32m in length with at least two further smaller sub-rectangular features c.12x9m set immediately behind the former.


Note: also visible on several other GE layers.

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ANT20smr - Rath;

Lat: 54°30'41.63"N; Long: 6° 8'4.20"W (J 20872 64175); Td: Drumsill;

Status: recorded as ANT067:012.

SMR summary: "On flat land, with the ground falling away to N. This is the site of one of the 2 forts mentioned in the OS memoirs in this townland. There are no visible traces of the site remaining."

While the SMR contain no further information about the site, it appears quite well on two different GE views from 2010 as a circular area c.42m in diameter. On the winter frame (top), it is possible to see the internal area surrounded by bank and outer ditch. 
 

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ANT21 - Enclosure;
Lat: 54°31'34.28"N; Long: 6°15'20.32"W (J 12987 65602); Td: Aghalee;
Status: unrecorded.

Faint traces of sub-circular enclosure c.21x18m.
 












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ANT22smr - Rath;
Lat: 54°31'47.08"N; Long: 6°15'5.12"W (J 13250 66004); Td: Aghalee;
Status: recorded as ANT062:042.

SMR summary: "This site is recorded in the OS memoirs as a destroyed fort on the land of Stewart Falloon. There are now no visible remains of this site."

While the SMR contain no further information about this site, classified as an 'unlocated enclosure', its exact location can now be safely established and it is visible as a semi-circular cropmark of huge proportion. The site would have been about 100m in diameter. 

The newly built property shown on the attached 2010 picture was absent on another GE view from 2002. It has been constructed directly on top of the NE section of the perimeter between these two dates.   



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ANT23 - Enclosure (rath?);
Lat: 54°32'29.77"N; Long: 6°12'32.15"W (J 15967 67393); Td: Ballyscolly;
Status: unrecorded.

Faint traces of circular enclosure, external diameter of c.44m, mainly defined by growth differential along its perimeter. Likely rath.











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ANT24 - Sub-rectangular enclosure;
Lat: 54°34'14.48"N; Long: 6°18'21.37"W (J 09611 70475); Td: Deer Park:
Status: unrecorded.

On an slightly elevated position and overlooking the shores of Lough Neagh and Tunny Point:

faint traces of sub-rectangular feature, measuring c.21x16m and oriented NE-SW. 








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ANT25 - Rath;
Lat: 54°35'47.22"N; Long: 6° 9'1.74"W (J 19589 73596); Td: Knockcairn;
Status: unrecorded.

In an area dense with other raths, along the Glenavy river:

remains of sub-oval banked enclosure, c.53x40m. Likely rath.

Note: also visible on three other GE layers.








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ANT26smr - Enclosure / Mound;
Lat: 54°37'14.77"N; Long: 6° 6'28.25"W (J 22271 76376); Td: Dundrod;
Status: recorded as ANT059:032.

This site features on early OS map editions as 'Nelsons Fort' and is summarised in the SMR: "On a brow of a hill sloping to the valley of the Crumlin River, there are no visible remains of this site which was described in the OSFR as a small circular mound "practically levelled".

A couple of GE layers (see left, and 6/5/2008 layer) show this site as a circular feature with a max. diameter of at least c.32m. It appears to have been defined by a small internal mounded area, surrounded by bank and outer ditch. 

Its size and features somehow contrast with the many other raths in the vicinity and classification remains uncertain. 


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ANT27smr - Enclosure;
Lat: 54°37'36.28"N; Long: 6° 4'54.49"W (J 23935 77086); Td: Carnaghliss;
Status: recorded as ANT060:001.

SMR: "There is no visible trace of an antiquity at this location, marked "fort" on the 1st edition OS 6"map".

While the SMR does not contain any information about this site, it is well-defined on most GE layers as a sub-oval enclosure c.49x42m.  

Two further lengths of banks/ditches are also visible attached to the NW of the site and could be related to the enclosure.  





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ANT28 - Circular feature? 
Lat: 54°38'47.81"N; Long: 6° 0'5.36"W (J 29059 79442); Td: Ballyutoag;
Status: unrecorded. 

Kept this last as it is only a 'possible' site and I probably would not have mentioned it here if it was not for its proximity to Ballyutoag Court Tomb (ANT056:024). 

The site is located about c.75m NE of said Court Tomb, in the next field directly across Flush Rd. It is faintly defined as a circular feature, c.14m in diameter.

It only appears on the latest of eight GE layers (15/4/2012), onto which other possible features might be discernible in the same field (e.g. possible circular feature, c.9m in diameter, c.12m to SE of ANT28).  



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Until later for Part 3 of the Co. Antrim Inventory... 

*** If you like this post and the contents of this blog, please show your support and make a donation to the NIDAS project using the secure button at the right. Many thanks! ***

Co. Antrim: Inventory Part 1

***Notes:
- Unfortunately, due to the heavy picture-content of these pages, this blog might not be suited to mobile browsing. 
- Throughout this blog, GE stands for Google Earth and SMR for Site and Monument Records held by the DOENI. 
- Click to enlarge all pictures in this post. Pictures are best viewed in darker conditions (details and faint features will not be visible in GE while in a sunny room for instance). Also bear in mind that the images here are copies and extractions from GE, a process which already invariably causes a loss in definition. 
- Please feel free to share this blog if you know anybody who might have an interest in its contents!***


Welcome back once again!

This post presents the first part of the Co. Antrim inventory where I will begin the task of listing all the newly discovered sites located using Google Earth imagery (and sometimes newly identified features at already recorded sites).

Part 1 only covers a small area and 12 new sites but it's a start - I reckon it will take about 7 parts to publish what I have for Co. Antrim alone...

Co. Antrim: Inventory Part 1 - Location of sites presented in this post.

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ANT1 - Prehistoric Complex;
Lat: 54°42'50.60"N, Long: 6° 1'38.79"W (J 27173 86901); Td: Ballypalady;
Status: unrecorded.

Multi-period ritual and/or funerary complex with at least 6 features readily identifiable.

This site has already been detailed in a previous post; click HERE for further information. 









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ANT2 - Geographically not part of this section of the inventory - will be included accordingly later on...
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ANT3 - Fortifications;
Lat: 54°42'9.50"N, Long: 6° 3'1.54"W (J 25727 85589); Td: Ballymartin;
Status: unrecorded.

Several identifiable features within a loop of the Ballymartin River - this site has also been detailed in a previous post, click HERE for further information. 










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ANT4 - Multivallate Enclosure (Rath?);
Lat: 54°42'20.25"N , Long: 6° 2'55.56"W (J 25825 85925); Td: Ballymartin;
Status: unrecorded.

Cropmark of levelled multivallate enclosure (presumably rath) - this site has also been detailed in a previous post, click HERE for further information.

Note:
Also visible on 31/12/2010 GE layer. 








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ANT5 - Circular feature (Cairn?);
Lat: 54°42'32.72"N, Long: 6° 1'46.63"W (J 27048 86345); Td: Grange of Ballyrobert;
Status: unrecorded.

About 500m SSW from prehistoric complex ANT1:

circular and stony spread of material, c.20m in diameter. Possible cairn (or clearance cairn).











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ANT6 - Sub-circular enclosure;
Lat: 54°40'40.80"N, Long: 6° 1'58.20"W (J 26938 82879); Td: Craigarogan;
Status: unrecorded.

On a relatively elevated position (elev. 159m) but with ground rising from E to SW:

well-defined sub-circular enclosure with max. dimensions c.34x31m (long axis SE-NW).

Note: if prehistoric in origin rather than early medieval, it should be noted that from the enclosure, Lyles Hill (multi-period hilltop site, c.2km distant) dominates the view to the W and its summit cairn is found exactly 270° due W.





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ANT7 - Oval Enclosure w/ internal and external features;
Lat: 54°40'12.62"N, Long: 6° 2'13.92"W (J 26680 81999); Td: Kilgreel;
Status: unrecorded.

On elevated ground (elev. 210m) and to the NNW of Bog Hill:

well-defined large oval enclosure reaching c.84m in length (long axis N-S) and c.46m wide.

Two features are visible in the interior:
- on GE's 2010 layer: oval enclosure c.21x16m at N.
- on GE's 2008 layer: circular enclosure c.12m in diameter at S.

In the same field, several features are also found outside of the main enclosure (with the last two best seen on GE's 2008 layer):

a. c.50m to NE of main enclosure: circular feature c.12m in diameter.
b. c.60m to SE of main enclosure: possible circular feature c.14m in diameter.
c. c.15m to SE of above: possible circular feature c.11m in diameter. 











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ANT8 - Embanked Enclosure;
Lat: 54°40'14.54"N, Long: 6° 1'24.41"W (J 27566 82084); Td: Craigarogan;
Status: unrecorded.

On elevated position (elev. 203m) with wide views to N and E:

remains of embanked enclosure whose plan is difficult to ascertain (view at SW-S is obstructed). It is defined by two curving wide banks (over 10m wide) with a distinct gap at NNE that may have been an original feature (unrelated to farming tracks running below). There are slight traces of an internal ditch at NW and NE perhaps delineating the internal space. The maximum dimensions of the site are c.55m E-W and at least as much N-S.





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ANT9 - Possible Embanked Enclosure;
Lat: 54°39'58.98"N, Long: 6° 0'44.52"W (J 28294 81623); Td: Grange of Mallusk;
Status: unrecorded.

On an elevated position once again (elev. 180m) with wide views to N and E:

remains of possible embanked enclosure defined by wide bank (c.8m in width) and external ditch. Although the view is obstructed at W, it appears to have been circular with an external diameter of c.28m. There are traces visible in the interior of the enclosure, including two conspicuous arcs, but the available imagery does not allow for further identification.

Notes: This wide circular feature is also visible to a lesser degree on GE's 2009 layer. Also, there are hints of another circular feature, c.12m in diameter, directly outside the ditch of the main enclosure to the E (very faint; better seen on GE's 2010 layer and during live navigation).


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ANT10smr - Oval Enclosure w/ internal feature;
Lat: 54°38'32.33"N, Long: 6° 9'37.88"W (J 18806 78683); Td: Straidhavern;
Status: recorded as ANT055:197 but misplaced?

The SMR files for ANT055:197 are very succinct only referring to a note from 1982 stating:
"Observed from the air by Dr. Chart, in the angle of a level field. There are no visible remains on the ground."

The present feature is not located in the angle of the field as given by the SMR but rather c.60m further to SSE. It is a very well-defined oval enclosure and it is highly likely that this site represents what the original observer reported. The enclosure is oriented N-S and is c.37x27m externally. The feature visible in the interior appears to be either circular and c.15m in diameter (from GE's 2012 layer) or oval and c.18x14m (from GE's 2003). 



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ANT11 - Enclosure (Rath?); 
Lat: 54°38'40.06"N, Long: 6°10'2.56"W (J 18358 78911); Td: Tully;
Status: unrecorded.

Situated about 75m WNW from site of enclosure ANT055:192, and apparently distinct from it since the information from the SMR files imply that this other enclosure was over the former field boundary visible on GE: 
"Observed from the air by Dr. Chart. Field boundaries have since been removed & the ground has probably been improved. There is no visible sign of an antiquity."

The presently unrecorded enclosure is only visible on one of the five GE layers for this area. It is defined by the traces of a circular ditch, c.42m in diameter, and is likely to represent a levelled rath. 


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The last site I want to release today is a bit of a stretch but I thought I should highlight this oddity nonetheless...

It is situated on Browndod Hill, an area of extensive prehistoric activity where numerous sites are recorded: enclosures, standing stones, field systems, hut foundations and no less than four megalithic tombs, two of which confirmed court tombs. Unfortunately, the GE definition for this area is quite poor, which prevents most of these sites to be identifiable. 

ANT12 - Possible Court Tomb?; 
Lat: 54°45'51.74"N, Long: 6° 8'1.06"W (J 20181 92314); Td: Browndod;

Status: unrecorded.

This new potential site is located in the same field as court tomb ANT044:035, whose remains include part of a deep horse-shoe or U-shaped court and possible traces of a long rectangular cairn. On Google Earth, the best view of it is on the 2008 layer where the full buried plan of the site is revealed, standing out quite well against the surrounding field (note the trampling damage encroaching onto the back of the cairn):     

Nothing else is visible in this field on all GE layers but one. Indeed, using the oldest GE layer (2001), what looks like the outline of a similar but buried monument, set parallel to the aforementioned court tomb appears into view only c.18m to NW (see image below). I doubt that I would have noticed this potential new feature if not for its resemblance to the recorded monument nearby. This new (and now disappeared) site seems to have shared the same size and plan as its neighbour, with a similar U-shaped court, in effect forming a pair of parallel and morphologically-related court tombs. 

Optical illusion or?

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Until later for the Co. Antrim: Inventory Part 2! 


*** If you like this post and the contents of this blog, please show your support and make a donation to the NIDAS project using the secure button at the right. Many thanks! ***