[ 216 ] 



VIII. 



NOTICE OF A CEAIs^NOG AT LOUGH-A-TEIM, KILLUCAIT, 

 COUNTY WESTMEATH. By REY. "WILLIAM FALKINER, 

 M.A. 



[Eead November 14, 1898.] 



About twenty years ago a small bog-lake, tipon the estate of tlie Earl 

 of Longford, near Knockaville, County "Westmeath, was drained. Its 

 name was Longh-a-Trim, and near the centre of the ground once- 

 covered by its waters there was, until a few months ago, a low, 

 circular mound which was known as "The Island." Early in the 

 summer the tenant of the lands conceived the idea of top-dressing the 

 old lake bed with the earth forming this mound, and in the course- 

 of levelling it was discovered that the whole island was surrounded 

 by, and studded over with, black oak piles. 



I regret that the work of demolition was completed before I had 

 an opportunity of inspecting the place ; but having visited it last 

 September, I collected sufficient evidence to convince me that " Tlie 

 Island" marked the site of a most interesting crannog. Fortunately 

 the workman employed in removing the mound is a highly intelligent 

 man, with a decided taste for archaeology, and having his wits about 

 him, he carefully observed the construction of the crannog so far as it 

 was brought to light. This most fortunately was not far — as beyond 

 removing a few of the oak piles, and the surface of the island, the 

 original structure has not been interfered with. 



At a depth of about 4 feet a rough floor of beams was laid bare, 

 but not removed ; a great quantity of ashes, burnt wood and bones 

 was met with near the outer portion of the stockade, but from what I 

 ha;ve been able to gather I believe that the principal features of the 

 crannog have entirely escaped. 



Upon walking over the ground I was able to observe a quantity of 

 bones, amongst others, those of wild swine — red deer and oxen. I 

 found several boars' jaws, with large tusks still remaining. Also- 

 the horns of the ancient crumpled-horned ox. 



