Aughlish.—In a lake so called, about five miles from Enniskillen, in the direction of Boho, there is a crannog, but the height of the water precluded an examination. The tops of numerous piles are frequently visible in summer-time.
Killynure (the wood of the yews) is a small lakelet, distant a mile from Enniskillen, on the Tempo road. It contains a crannog which is usually flooded.
Lough Acrussel is situated near Enniskillen. The crannog was found standing in deep water; but after a continuance of dry weather the piling all around could be distinctly seen, and the posts were, as a rule, connected by horizontal beams. Near the centre of the island there was a large flag-stone that had evidently been used as a hearth. Upon sinking shallow trenches through portions of the work, bones and teeth of animals of the usual character were discovered, as also iron slag, wood charcoal in small quantities, and some thin pieces of bronze, seemingly parts of a cauldron or dish. The plan of the crannog was nearly a perfect circle, and its diameter sixty feet.[210]
Lough Yoan.—In the summer of 1883, the crannog in this lake was visited by W. F. Wakeman, who reported that its surface seemed covered with bones of various animals, the larger of them having been broken apparently for extraction of the marrow. There were several whetstones and fragments of querns; but no traces of woodwork remained visible, though possibly by digging through the sand and stones, of which the shoal is chiefly composed, some discoveries might be made.
Lankhill.—In this lake, situated near Enniskillen, a crannog was discovered by W. F. Wakeman, by whom it will be described in a forthcoming number of the Journal Royal Hist. and Arch. Association of Ireland.
Lough Macnean contains four islets, the one lying close to the western shore being appropriately designated “Crannog Island.” Its diameter is about sixty-four feet, and the work, which consists of a cairn of stones—rising to a height of eight or ten feet above the winter level of the water—had been formerly enclosed by a double row of piles composed of oak, yew, and pine. The usual amount of bones, a couple of fragments of pottery, and a large quantity of iron slag and charcoal, alone were discovered, although the shore was carefully searched. The island situated near Belcoo was of the same dimensions and formation; nothing but bones, slag, and charcoal, were found in it. In the crannog at the southern extremity of the lake, digging had to be discontinued in consequence of the percolation of the water. Much of the piling was still visible, although everywhere reduced to a state of pulp. The fourth islet, named Inishee (i. e. fairy island), yielded nothing; it was of natural formation.[211]
Lenaghan.—Here, about three miles from Enniskillen, is a small lake containing a crannog. On it were found immense numbers of animal bones, as also some few antiquities; one of them, a dagger of bone, measured fourteen inches in length.
Plate XLIII.