Ringfort - cashel

The National Monuments Service's description

In generally level, improved rough pasture, having a very slight SE-facing slope. The monument is named on OS historic mapping as ‘Lissofin Fort’ and is depicted as an oval enclosure (diam. 32m N-S; 35m E-W). According to Curry in 1839, Lissofin is Anglicised from Lis-Aodha-Finn referring to the Fort of Hugh the Fair (OSL, vol. 2, 284). Described by Westropp (1908-9, 384) as a 'ring-wall' that 'measures 117 to 123 feet over all, being oval; the walls, usually 12 feet thick, faced with good masonry, with small filling; the eastern part where best preserved, is 5 feet high'. According to the SMR file, this monument was levelled sometime between 2005 and 2010. Local information confirms that it was constructed of stone. There is a bare trace of this monument on recent aerial imagery (Digital Globe, 2012, https://binged.it/2zusgSU, accessed 8 November 2017), although it is no longer visible at ground level. The monument has been completely levelled and immediate boundaries adjoining to NE, SE and W, also removed. A roughly circular ring of briars (diam. c. 15m) has formed in this area and appears to define the perimeter of the interior, as correlating to OS historic mapping and modern aerial photography. The area of the interior defined by the ring of briars is slightly higher (H c. 0.15m) and drier than the current external ground level.

Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Alison McQueen

Date of upload: 8 November 2017

References

Westropp, T.J. 1908-9 Types of the ringforts and similar structures remaining in Eastern Clare (Quin, Tulla and Bodyke). Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 27C, 371-400.

OSL - Ordnance Survey Letters. Letters written by members of the Ordnance Survey's 'Topographical Department' (T. O'Conor, A. O'Curry, E. Curry, J. O'Donovan and P. O'Keeffe) sent to headquarters from the field (1834-41). MSS in Royal Irish Academy.