Clare Island Survey — History and Archaeology. 2 61 



on the records of this supposed authoritative survey, can be relied on in 

 questions of archaeology. Also it shows what careful and prudent editing 

 should be given to the Ordnance Survey Letters, which many well-meaning 

 persons would circulate in Ireland, full of misleading statements, in hastily 

 published editions. It is enough to back this allegation in the matter of the 

 promontory-forts alone by stating that the 1839 Survey did not mark the 

 early fortifications of Balor's Castle, Port Conaghra, Cashlaunicrobin, Dun- 

 minulla, Dun Machra, Dunaneanir, Port, Dunnaglass, Dunagurroge, the 

 great and complex Dun of Kilmore, Dunnagappul, Dun Ooghmore, and this 

 Dunmore, all in Mayo. A cliff-fort in Aran, with Doonaunmore, Anneville, Dun 

 Gorraun, the huge Doonegall, Doonaunroe, Dundahlin, and Horse Island in 

 Co. Clare, and Brumore, Doon Castle, the Cahercarberys (most important 

 forts), the great rampart of Dun ruad, Dunmore, Moneenagurroge, Faillnanma, 

 the upper fort of Doon, on Eask Hill, and Minard, in Co. Kerry, are also 

 unmarked. All were recognizable ; some were among the most imposing of 

 Irish earthworks and cathairs, and yet they were left unrecorded ; and many 

 are still omitted on the new maps. 



Dunmore-Bofin, as I may call it for distinction, consists of a single dry- 

 stone rampart, of the best type of masonry. It runs in a bold curve from 

 the south cliff of Dunkeen, remaining for over 60 feet, and leaving farther 

 traces in set-stones, along a natural terrace, or shoulder, about half way up 

 the slope. At the foot is a fosse-like hollow, evidently natural, but which 

 could, with little trouble, have been continued as a fosse and earthwork 

 round the foot of the slope. (Plate IX.) 



The wall has two faces, the outer of fairly large blocks, 2 feet and 3 feet 

 long by 2 feet to 2 feet 8 inches high and deep. Owing to the curve, the 

 joints are unusually open. Over these, bonding deeply into the carefully 

 packed rubble-filling of the interior, was a course of stones, 3 feet to 4 feet 

 long, set as " headers," with the ends out. The inner face was of smaller 

 masonry, and but little remains. The wall is still from 3 feet to nearly 

 5 feet high. At 32 feet from the south cliff, which is flaking off into huge 

 " slices " at that point, are the remains of the gateway. It looks eastward, 

 about E. S. E., and has parallel sides, 6 feet 3 inches apart, of large blocks. 

 There were probably coursed piers, as at Dun Aengusa and elsewhere, to 

 narrow the entrance. The passage is 10 feet deep. The wall is of one section, 

 varying from 10 feet to 13 feet, and, perhaps, at one part 15 feet thick. 

 Much remains, a few feet high, for 30 feet northwards from the gate, beyond 

 which are slight traces of foundation ; but the work of destruction has not 

 ceased, and stones are still thrown down the slope or over the cliffs by 

 idlers. About 60 feet back from it is an oblong patch of stones, 36 feet 



