Ringfort - cashel

The National Monuments Service's description

In flat low-lying woodland in the grounds of ‘Fanta Deanery’ and within a large multiperiod field system (CL009-059001-). Indicated on the OS 25-inch plan (1897) and 1920 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. Listed as ‘Enclosure’ in the RMP (1996). This almost circular cashel (int. dims. 27.5m N-S; 26m E-W) is defined by a double-faced largely rebuilt stone wall (Wth 3.5-4m; int. H 0.5-1.2m; av. ext. H 1.4-1.6m; ext. H 0.5m at E) of well-set stones that are not especially large (L c. 0.4m; H 0.4m), although toward the base they increase in size (max. L 1.3m; H 0.35m at NW). Some recent wall spill is visible and the inner wall-face has collapsed at NNE. A gap (Wth 2.3m) at SE may be the original entrance but this is unclear as too little of the wall survives from E to SW. Another gap (Wth c. 2m) at NW is a later feature. Mature deciduous trees are growing in the interior. An old concrete chicken coop is visible in the NW quadrant. A later N-S running drystone wall (L c. 11m), extending off the inner wall-face at N, is visible to its E. A pathway around the cashel, surrounded by a drystone wall, provided access between it and the Deanery, c. 12m to it W. The cashel was used as a garden feature (Westropp 1915, 265). Two other cashels (CL009-181---- and CL009-182----) lie c. 147m to the NNE and c. 172m to NE respectively. There is a mound (CL009-179----) c. 172m to the WNW.

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 4 May 2022

References

Westropp, T.J. 1915 Prehistoric remains (forts and dolmens) in Burren and its south western border, Co. Clare. Part 12: North Western Part. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 5, 45-62, 249-74.