Promontory fort - inland

The National Monuments Service's description

On a low headland (H 1m) jutting W into Inchiquin Lough, with a small bog to the N and land rising very slightly to the E. Indicated on the 1842 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. Partly hachured and labelled ‘Entrenchment’ on the 1920 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. Listed as ‘Promontory fort (possible)’ in the RMP (1996). This inland promontory fort (int. dims. c. 80m N-S; c. 80m E-W) is defined at the E by a tree-covered bank and outer fosse which extend in an E-arcing N-S line across the very slight ‘neck’ or narrowest point of the headland. At the centre (i.e., easternmost point) of this line is a probable modern gap (Wth 3m). To the N of this gap the bank and fosse extend NW for 43m, where they may be cut by a modern lane—the driveway of a house built at the W end of the peninsula, within the area originally enclosed by the promontory fort. The bank (Wth of base 6.9m; Wth of top 4.3m; int. H 0.5m; ext. H 0.9m) is flat-topped, and the fosse (Wth of base 8.6m; Wth of top 14.7m; ext. D 0.3m) is almost flat-bottomed. To the S of the gap the round-topped bank (Wth of base 6.5m; int. H 0.8m; ext. H 1.6m) and fosse extend SSE for c. 20m; however, the flat-bottomed fosse widens as it goes S (dims. at S centre: Wth of base 17m; Wth of top 26m; ext. D 0.3m), its E side being oriented SSE. Westropp (1908, 35) mentioned a ‘trace of an outer mound’ immediately E of the fosse. No archaeological remains were found here during an inspection in 1998—only a modern mound. Westropp (ibid.) suggested that before the lake was partly drained in modern times, the ends of the bank and fosse would have reached down to its edge.

Reference:
Westropp, T.J. 1908 Promontory Forts in the "Irrus," County Clare: Part I. The Kilkee Group. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 38, 28-47.

Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott

Date of upload: 19 July 2023