_Cloneygonnell_ (otherwise Tonymore)--a townland in the parish of Kilmore, barony of Lower Loughtee--contained three crannogs that became exposed when the waters of Tonymore Lough had been run off by arterial drainage. Although the tops of the outer row of piles could be seen projecting above the surface, yet the real nature of the largest of these islands--a green oblong mound--was not suspected until after the railway had passed through a portion of it. The land was described as rising, in a succession of low hills, from what had been the ancient margin of the lake; on the north and south sides were the raths of Shancloon and Cloneygonnell, as shown (plate XLVII., fig. 202), and there were several raths of minor importance. In 1862, Dr. Malcomson of Cavan, carefully examined the locality, and made a sketch of the general appearance of the ancient lake bed and neighbourhood (fig. 203), as well as a representation of the section of the larger crannog where cut by the railway (fig. 204). The piles or stakes were arranged in two circles, one within the other, the diameter of the greater one being one hundred and twenty feet, and that of the other ninety feet. The piles in the outer circle were very numerous, and in some instances driven in close proximity to each other; a few appeared about three feet above the surface, and upon being withdrawn and examined were found to have been carefully pointed. The stakes in the inner row were not so numerous; some of them were of oak, others being of sallow or other soft wood. Within the stockade were observed two small mounds, one at the north, the other at the south. Corresponding with the depression between these, and three feet under the soil, was discovered during the excavation a flat stone four feet square and three inches thick, resting on a number of upright blocks of oak; this, no doubt, was a hearthstone. The most elevated point of the mound, towards the south of the island, had a crater-like appearance. Besides the wooden stakes which entered into the formation of the circles, others appear to have been laid horizontally, their beam-like ends showing at that part of the enclosure which was disturbed by the passage of the railway. On exploring the crannog, and when the excavations had been carried to the centre, the cut surface presented from above, downwards-- 1st. _Clay._ 2nd. _Black and grey ashes, with small stones and sand._ 3rd. _Bones and ashes, with lumps of blue and yellow clay._ 4th. _A quantity of grey ashes_, and 5th. _The horizontal sleepers, or stretchers, and hazel branches resting on the peat bottom._ (Plate XLVII., fig. 204.) [Illustration: Fig. 205.--Plan of Crannog, showing the radial arrangement of the timbers.]