Cliff-edge fort

The National Monuments Service's description

On a rocky promontory jutting W from a W-facing slope, mostly overgrown with blackthorn, with ground sloping away steeply (max. H 30m) from SE to NNE. The promontory is named 'Carrickadaugh Rock' on the 1840 and 1920 eds. of the OS 6-inch map. This subcircular cliff-edge fort (31m N-S; 25m E-W) is defined from SW to NNE by stone facing (H c. 2m) applied to the steep natural rock-face, which was deliberately cut back in places. At the base of this facing is a berm (Wth 1-2m). Due to overgrowth and dangerous terrain, it was not possible to investigate the continuation of this berm from SE to SW during an inspection in 1998. From NNE to SE the cashel is defined by a relatively insubstantial drystone wall (H c. 1m) with stone spill (Wth 3m; max. H 0.4m) inside it. Outside the wall is a level berm (Wth c. 10m), its E edge defined by a slight scarp (H c. 0.3m). At the S end of the berm the rock promontory edge has been cut c. 5m back to the N, creating a cliff-face (H 2m) which restricts access to the cashel. A souterrain (CL009-172002-) lies partly within the S edge of the cliff-top fort, and partly outside it to the S.

Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott

Date of upload: 11 July 2022