Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo: Report 2011

that it may originally have linked with the system on the Southwest slope. The gap in the distribution
here is c. 680m.
Two court tombs, M5 and M6, and one portal tomb, Ma19, demonstrate prehistoric activity within
the area of modern settlement along the S slope of the hill at an altitude of 100 to 300 ft OD.
The gaps in the distribution of prehistoric field boundaries on Dooncarton hill appear to be purely a
function of the modern settlement pattern. If this is the case, and the megalithic tombs are
reflecting areas where field boundaries once existed, then the extent of prehistoric settlement on
the hillside may be postulated. This area is in the form of a band, 5kms long, located between 100
and 600 ft OD, which stretches from the court tomb, site Ma1, along the North, West and S slopes of
the hill to the Southeast shoulder.
Faulagh, Knocknalower and Gortmelia hills
The short stretch of boundary, between 300 and 400 ft OD, on the West slope of Faulagh hill is
probably an extension of the upper boundary feature further to the E. However, uncut bog lies
between and an extensive probing operation needs to be undertaken to confirm whether or not this
is the case. If this proved positive, then the complex on the South slope of Faulagh hill would be
separated by a gap of only 400m from the pre-bog boundaries on the South slope of Knocknalower
hill.
Two long intersecting field walls are evident on the top of Gortmelia hill, along with numerous
shorter stretches and a settlement complex on the Southwest slope. However, the overall pre-bog
field system in this area is likely to be much more extensive. More recently, field walls were noted
extending over the hilltop in the direction of Knocknalower hill. These latter boundaries reduce the
gap between the field systems on Gortmelia hill and those on the S slope of Knocknalower hill to a
distance of c. 650m.
Almost completely cut-away bogland is present on the lower Southwest slope of Gortmelia hill. As
was already noted in the case of Graghil townland, there is again no evidence of the field boundaries
extending to the coast or even below the 100 ft contour.
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