Promontory fort - coastal

The National Monuments Service's description

In fertile pasture on a lowlying north-eastern facing promontory in Sheephaven Bay stands the ruins of Doe Castle, a 16th century keep (DG02-023001-) and later extensions set within a sub-rectangular bawn (DG026-023003-). The enclosing curtain wall is defended by three bartizans and a three-quarter flanker at the NE angle. An angled ravelin juts out into the bay at northeast. The site is also defended by an 8m wide fosse across the neck of the headland with a causeway now supporting an enclosed defended gateway with subterranean postern gate beneath. Two recent external stone walls cross the isthmus parallel to the fosse and a faint earthen bank suggests the former presence of a defensive bank. The whole site was the subject of many restorations and rebuilding in the past, with 19th century landscaping efforts obliterating many original defensive features.

This description is derived from a survey of promontory forts undertaken by Markus Casey for the Heritage Council: Casey, M. 2001 The coastal promontory forts of Ireland: interim report for the Heritage Council. Unpublished specialist report, National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Date of upload: 27 September 2019

References

Casey, M. 2001 The coastal promontory forts of Ireland: interim report for the Heritage Council. Unpublished specialist report, National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.