Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Hilltop enclosure
Glasbolie, County Donegal, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Glasbolie
- County
- Donegal
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Fort
- Latest-edition OS map
- Hachured
- Coordinates
- 54.56544, -8.15647
- SMR number
- DG103-017001-
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
4 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1881 map "Ireland to Illustrate the Military Condition of the Country." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1881 · Ireland to Illustrate the Military Condition of the Country. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1891 · Ireland 16 (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1904 · Sheet 4. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1922 · Ireland - northern section. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
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.
Nearby in the register
- Moundunder 1 mi
- Ringfort - cashelunder 1 mi
- Enclosureunder 1 mi
- Castle - unclassifiedunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.