Multi-Phased Early Medieval Enclosure with Multiple Souterrains (Ballinrea)

At Ballinrea, on elevated ground with expansive views to the north and east, excavations revealed a substantial enclosure of likely early medieval date. The enclosing ditch appears to have been constructed in phases, culminating in a large, ‘plectrum-shaped’ enclosure. Entered via the east, the enclosure contained up to 12 suspected souterrains (underground, post-supported storage areas) flanking the enclosing bank (very little of which survived) and ditch. The high number of souterrains suggests the enclosure served a specialized function in the early medieval period.