Promontory fort - coastal

The National Monuments Service's description

This promontory fort is defined along its landward side by a substantial earthen bank and external fosse which span the neck of the promontory. A wide gap halfway along the bank, with a corresponding causeway over the fosse, marks the entrance. Just inside it, c. 12m to the NE, lies a well-preserved bivallate rath (GA113-123001-). Outside the promontory fort defences, c. 26m to the NE, is a small low flat-topped mound (11m E-W; 8.5m N-S; max. H 0.75m). It may be associated. This impressive monument is probably the site of the original Dún Guaire (alias Rath Durlais), chief residence of the famed 6th C. King Guaire (Killanin and Duignan 1967, 343) which a number of writers (O'Flanagan 1927, Vol. 1, 297; Fahey 1893, 197; Leask 1973 122; Hynes 1980) have erroneously placed on the site of the nearby castle (GA113-124----). (Westropp 1919, 167-86; Korff and O'Connell 1985)

Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG

Date of upload: 4 August 2017

References

O'Flanagan, Rev. M. (Compiler) 1927 Letters containing information relative to the antiquities of the county of Galway collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1839. Typescript in 3 vols. Bray.

Korff, A. and O'Connell, J. 1985 Kinvara: a rambler's map and guide. Kinvarra.

Killanin, M.M. and Duignan, M.V. 1967 (2nd ed.) The Shell guide to Ireland. London. The Ebury Press.

Westropp, T.J. 1919a Notes on several forts in Dunkellin and other parts of southern Co. Galway. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 49, 167-86.

Leask, H. G. 1973 (Reprint 1977) Irish Castles and Castellated Houses. Dundalk.

Fahey, J.A. 1893 (Reprint 1986) The history and antiquities of the diocese of Kilmacduagh. Galway. Kenny Gallery.