Hilltop enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Indicated on the 1836 OS 6-inch map as a circular enclosure, named 'Fort'; not shown on the 1905 edition. Internal diam. c. 70m N-S × c. 30m E-W. Caiseal Na Bearnan (Caiseal of the gaps) an irregular-shaped area enclosed on all except its E side, where it is unnecessary due to a cliff edge, by a collapsed stone wall. At the SE end of the enclosure several subcircular structures (DG038-001002-) have been reported (Boyle-Somerville 1929, 164) but these were not observed on this occasion. Two large orthostats at the S end might indicate the entrance. The suggestion of an entrance by Boyle-Somerville at the N end does not seem likely. It is situated on a precipitous N-S ridge in mountainous terrain. There is a holy well (DG038-002----) and a cairn (DG038-002001-) in the gap between the ridges immediately to NE.

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