Ringfort - cashel

The National Monuments Service's description

Internal diam. 20m. A rough circle of large stones complete except for a stretch along the W, is all that survives of the 'Fort' marked on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map. On the N side two slabs set at right angles to the line of the wall seem to represent the entrance. It is situated on a slight eminence in rough to fair land overlooking Lough Swilly to the W.

The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated.

Date of upload: 22 September 2008

Excavation licence number 01E0447
Testing was carried out at the site of the proposed development of 29 semi-detached dwelling-houses in the townland of Magherainture, Ballymacarry, Buncrana, Co. Donegal. A cashel is located at the south end of the proposed development. Throughout the site, results of testing indicated a layer of topsoil and sod c. 0.4m deep. This consistently overlay a grey to yellow/brown sandy silt with frequent inclusions of large rocks and boulders. Nothing of archaeological significance was observed during the course of testing. (Excavations Bulletin 2001)
Declan Moore, Moore Archaeological and Environmental