Cnoc Raithní (Irish: [ˌknˠɔk ˈɾˠahnʲiː]; "hill of bracken")[2] is a tumulus (burial mound) and national monument located on Inisheer, Ireland.[3][4]
 Slab atop Cnoc Raithní | |
  Shown within Ireland | |
| Alternative name | Knockgrannie, Knockgrannary, Cnoc Raithnighe |
|---|---|
| Location | Inisheer, County Galway, Ireland |
| Region | The Burren, Aran Islands |
| Coordinates | 53°03′54″N 9°31′24″W / 53.065019°N 9.523220°W |
| Type | tumulus[1] |
| Area | 350 m2 (0.086 acres) |
| Diameter | 21 m (69 ft) |
| Height | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) |
| History | |
| Material | earth, sand, limestone |
| Founded | c. 1500 BC |
| Periods | Atlantic Bronze Age |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | Office of Public Works |
| Public access | yes |
| Designation | |
Location edit
Cnoc Raithní is located on the northern edge of Inisheer, overlooking the harbour.[citation needed]
History edit
The lower tier is dated to c. 2000–1500 BC, making this the earliest known settlement site on the island.[5] The upper part is believed to be Early Christian (5th to 8th centuries AD).[6][7]
The site was covered by sands before being exposed by a storm in 1885; in that year, it was excavated by D. Murphy and cordoned cinerary urns with cremated bones and a bronze awl were found.[8][9][10]
Description edit
A circular sandy mound revetted by a drystone wall. About 27 slab-lined graves protrude above the south half.[11] The north half is occupied by a kerbed platform with two limestone pillars.[12]
References edit
- ^ "Inis Oirr". Doolin Ferries.
- ^ Kirby, Tony (14 March 2009). The Burren & Aran Islands: A Walking Guide. Gill & Macmillan Ltd. ISBN 9781848899193 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Inis Oírr (Inisheer) Seaport".
- ^ "O'Brien's Castle". Atlas Obscura.
- ^ "Cnoc Raithní".
- ^ Fairbairn, Helen (1 April 2016). Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way: A Walking Guide. Gill & Macmillan Ltd. ISBN 9781848895676 – via Google Books.
- ^ Commons, Dylan. "Inis Oírr Ferry | Aran Islands Ferry | Doolin Ferry Co".
- ^ "Cnoc Raithní".
- ^ "Cnoc Raithní (Prehistoric Ruin) » Rothaí Inis Oírr – Inisheer Bike Hire".
- ^ Halpin, Andrew; Newman, Conor (23 September 2006). Ireland: An Oxford Archaeological Guide to Sites from Earliest Times to AD 1600. Oxford University Press. p. 192 – via Internet Archive.
Cnoc Raithní.
- ^ "The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland". Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. 23 September 1938 – via Google Books.
- ^ Gosling, Paul (23 September 1993). Archaeological Inventory of County Galway: West Galway (including Connemara and the Aran Islands). Stationery Office. ISBN 9780707603223 – via Google Books.