Guide to Waterford Monuments

Enclosures

Enclosures are a common sight in the Comeragh mountains. Some are quite small while others are substantial in size. Their past  function is unclear. Some are thought to have been ritual sites such as the large example at Bearna na Madra gap but it is also thought that some (particularly dry stone examples) may have been used for the protection of livestock at certain times of the year, such as at spring lambing when the enclosed area would have served to protect the animals from predators such as wolves.

Large stone and earthen bank enclosures exist in the Araglin Valley and in the Tooreen complex. These are classed as Prehistoric Enclosures and can be up to 40 metres in diameter with the walls ranging in height from 1 –2 metres. There is a strong possibility that these were used for human habitation.