Promontory fort - coastal

The National Monuments Service's description

Sub-rectangular area standing at the junction of two steep stream gullies. According to Westropp (1914, 97) 'the fort makers selected this spur (fenced on two sides by almost perpendicular banks and for half the third side by a natural fosse) and cut a curved ditch for about 108 feet' (on W side). Westropp goes on to describe 'a mound with a facing of well-built flagstones, 6 inches to 10 inches thick and often 2 feet square. The facing was 3 feet thick; the whole 8 to 10 feet thick; it rises 6 to 7 feet over the hollow and 3 feet over the garth'. Site in now inaccessible. This is probably the 'old fort (rath?)' described by Coleman (1894, 167) as 'still to be seen overhanging a wild fissure of the ocean' and called "Tigey Kehernagh" after a giant called "Eana Ge Eana, or Geany", hence the townland name Ballygeany. The townland of Ballygeany is immediately to the E of this promontory fort.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009