Hilltop enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

McGonigle's Fort, a massive earthwork, clearly of a defensive nature. The site consists of an oval area (80m E-W; 60m N-S) probably scarped on the N and S sides with an earthen bank at the E and a massive earthen bank 3m to 4m high on the W where the site is most vulnerable. Outside this oval area and below it on the hillside is a massive fosse with an outer earthen bank enclosing the site for most of its circuit. This outer bank has been incorporated into field boundaries and a lane-way, which leads to the site from the S, and it is not clear to what extent it is a primary feature of the site. In the NE sector of the interior there is an earthen mound (DG103-017002-) at a point where there is a change in ground level. The mound is c. 5m high on the E side. The site is located on the E side of a long drumlin-type ridge. It has excellent views in all directions and although set on good land overlooks a boggy valley running in from the sea to the N. Local tradition says that the site is the burial place of a king of Tir Conaill. The site has been claimed as a possible motte-and-bailey (McNeil 1975, 54) but it has been more usually treated as a hillfort (Raftery 1972, 40 and Evans 1966, 87). However, the site definitely does not exploit the contours of the summit of the hill, as this is located outside the enclosure a little to the W. The site has been identified with Ard Fothadh mentioned in early Irish sources. (Allingham 1879, 111-2).

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

References

Evans, E.E. 1966 Prehistoric and Early Christian Ireland: a guide. London. Batsford.

Allingham, H. 1879 Ballyshannon, its history and antiquities. Londonderry.

McNeil, T.E. 1975 Ulster Mottes: a checklist. Ulster Journal of Archaeology Ser. 3, 38, 49-56.

Raftery B. 1972 Irish hillforts. In C. Thomas (ed.), The Iron Age in the Irish Sea province, 37-58. London. Council for British Archaeology.