Ecclesiastical enclosure, Kilcashel, Co. Donegal
The ecclesiastical enclosure at Kilcashel in County Donegal presents a fascinating glimpse into Ireland's medieval past, though time and modern interventions have left their mark on this ancient site.
Ecclesiastical enclosure, Kilcashel, Co. Donegal
Recorded in 1981, the monument consists of a large circular enclosure bounded by the remains of an earth and stone bank. The bank is best preserved along its southwestern to northeastern arc, whilst erosion has taken its toll from the northwest to northeast sections, where the bank has worn down towards the interior. The southwestern to northern portions, overlooked by a hillslope, show a distinctive profile where the bank drops considerably into the interior whilst rising only slightly on the outside.
The site has undergone significant alterations over the centuries, with the southeastern quadrant now occupied by a modern D-shaped graveyard surrounded by a dry stone masonry wall. A contemporary north-south stone wall divides a western segment from the rest of the enclosure. The interior landscape is characterised by numerous humps and rocky outcrops, whilst recent bulldozing has unfortunately damaged portions of the northeastern bank. Where the original bank structure remains intact, excavations have revealed intriguing archaeological deposits; very dark earth mixed with stones is visible, along with substantial oyster shell deposits extending about a metre deep from the top, suggesting sustained human occupation and consumption patterns.
One of the most intriguing features is an ancient hollow way that leads from the monument approximately 45 metres to the south-southwest, possibly serving as an early roadway. This passage, measuring three metres wide at its base, appears to have been cut through solid rock at its northern end. Where this hollow way meets the enclosure, there may have been an original three-metre-wide gap in the bank, though this has since been blocked by what appears to be a relatively modern bank construction. Such hollow ways are often indicators of long-established routes and suggest this ecclesiastical site was well connected to the surrounding medieval landscape.





