Promontory fort - coastal

The National Monuments Service's description

A small S-facing promontory known locally as 'Doon Point' or 'the fort'. The approaching narrow neck of land is traversed by a valley/fosse/ditch but there is no sign of any bank. There were a number of 'huts' (DG089-019002-) on the promontory but these were cleared about the beginning of this century. The interior is now flat grassland sloping to the E with some evidence of recent cultivation.

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.

Located 324m north of the southern point of 'The Doon' there are the remains of a low earthen bank (top Wth 0.7m; base wth 1.5m; int. H 0.2m) with outer fosse (Wth 1m; ext. D 0.2m) which runs for a distance of 50m from east to west cutting off the headland known as 'The Doon' to form a fortified headland or promontory fort. This low earthwork appears to be the original outermost defensive element of the promontory fort. The remains of a small earthen mound (H 0.4m; top diam. 2.4m, base diam. 4.6m) (DG089-019003-) with slightly concave summit is located in the northern edge of the promontory fort. According to local information this mound traditionally marks the site of a grave or burial.

Date of upload: 17August 2009