Ringfort - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

Bradley (1994, 175-6) has summarised the evidence for this fort as follows: ‘According to the Annals of Inisfallen the fort (cathair) of Ceann Coradh was built in 1012 by Brian Bóroime. In 1016 it was attacked and destroyed by the Connachta but, despite such raids, it continued to be the most important Ua Briain residence. Even after Limerick had become the Ua Briain capital it remained the symbolic centre of their power. Ceann Coradh occupied the high ground at the west end of the modern town on the summit of which St Flannán’s (RC) church now stands. A weir extended across the river Shannon at this point until modern times, and it is presumably from this feature that the site obtained its name. The components of the fort are unknown but the referneces to it as a dún or cathir indicate that it was a fortified enclosure defended either by a palisade or stone rampart. Its situation on the hill overlooking the ford is a commanding one affording the fine views in all directions. The only documented feature within the fort is a sacred well which is mentoned in 1061. In that year Aed Ua Conchobair, Kind of Connacht, ‘burned Cill-Dalua, and demolished the fortress (dún) of Cenn-coradh, and ate the two salmon that were in the well of Cenn-coradh, and the well was afterwards closed up by him’. It might also be inferred from the annalistic entry of 1107 that there was as storehouse within the enclosure. In that year Ceann Coradh was struck by lightning and the king’s store of beer and mead, amounting to 6- vats (dabhach), was destroyed.’ The precise location of this fort is unknown and it is O'Donovan (OS Letters ii, 346-7) and Westropp (1911-12, 202-3) who concur in positioning it on the top of the hill.

Compiled by: Paul Walsh

See attached document with details from Risteárd Ua Cróinín and Martin Breen, The Castles and Tower-houses of Co. Clare (unpublished report). Uploaded courtesy of R. Ua Cróinín and M. Breen.

Date of upload: 16 December 2014

References

Bradley, J. 1994 Killaloe: A pre-Norman Borough? Peritia 8, 170-179.

Westropp, T.J. 1911-12 Types of the ringforts in eastern Clare (Killaloe, it's Royal fort and their history). Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 29, 186-212.

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.