Enclosure, Ballymagrorty Scotch, Co. Donegal

Co. Donegal |

Enclosures

Enclosure, Ballymagrorty Scotch, Co. Donegal

In the pastures of Ballymagrorty Scotch, County Donegal, an ancient stone enclosure sits quietly on a broad limestone hill, its oval form measuring roughly 40 metres from northwest to southeast and 28 metres across.

The structure consists of a low stone bank, now mostly covered in moss and sod, with stones jutting out at random intervals where time has worn away the earthen covering. Though it doesn't appear on the 1836 Ordnance Survey maps, by 1907 it had been documented as a polygonal enclosure, suggesting it may have been rediscovered or simply overlooked during earlier surveys.

The enclosure occupies an intriguing position in the landscape, with the ground dropping away dramatically to the northeast and south into a small valley containing two connected lakes called Garvanagh Lough. A stream flows from the southern end of these lakes, curving around the southwestern base of the hill. The interior of the enclosure remains level with the surrounding ground rather than raised, though its surface is notably uneven, broken by exposed limestone karst that's particularly concentrated in a band running through the western half. A shallow depression traces along the inner edge of the southeastern section, whilst later field walls, built on northeast to southwest alignments, now intersect the ancient boundary at both the eastern and western points.

Just 16 metres to the southeast lies another enclosure, hinting at a broader pattern of ancient land use in this area. The surviving stone bank, measuring between two and three metres wide but standing only 20 to 30 centimetres high, has been incorporated into more recent field boundaries along its northeastern and southeastern edges, where a northwest to southeast field wall now runs. This layering of agricultural features from different periods creates a palimpsest of human activity, with the ancient enclosure serving as a foundation for the evolving agricultural landscape of Donegal.

Rated 0 out of 5

Visitor Notes

Review type for post source and places source type not found
Added by
Picture of Pete F
Pete F
IrishHistory.com is passionate about helping people discover and connect with the rich stories of their local communities.
Please use the form below to submit any photos you may have of Enclosure, Ballymagrorty Scotch, Co. Donegal. We're happy to take any suggested edits you may have too. Please be advised it will take us some time to get to these submissions. Thank you.
Name
Email
Message
Upload images/documents
Maximum file size: 100 MB
If you'd like to add an image or a PDF please do it here.

Advertisement