Ringfort - cashel

The National Monuments Service's description

Described by Toal (1995, no. 827) as follows; 'Cahirferta/Cathair Fhearta (stone fort of (the) grave-mound). Marked on the 1842 and 1897 OS maps as a circular enclosure, it is situated SW of a tall gallán (KE020-020001-). However, this site has since been levelled, and no permission was given to inspect the site. Many mounds, cist burials, a carved stone head and another small gallán have been located in the immediate vicinity of the stone fort, which would seem to indicate the importance of this area. (See Kerry Field Notes 2/3/1940, 77-78).
Caherferta described by Lynch (1892, 80-3) as follows; 'The townland around the gallaun [KE020-020001-] is known as Ardconnel (the height of Conal), and I have no doubt that this Ardconnel is the very ancient Ardconail mentioned in the "Book of Rights" as the site of one of the Portaibh or Royal seats of the Kings of Cashel. This pillar stone, which is a very remarkable one, visible from every point of the compass for many miles, consists of a block of whinstone, 8 feet [2.4m] high over the present surface, about 3 feet [0.9m] broad, and 15 inches [0.4m] thick, must have been brought from the cliffs near Kerry Head, about 9 miles distant, where stones of that kind are found in large quantities. This may have been the monumental stone of the illustrious chief Conal, whose name is thus preserved by the townland designation, but of whose name and fame history and legend are silent. The gallaun is surrounded by a shallow trench and embankment forming a circle [KE020-020002-] about 40 yards [36m] in diameter.
Within about 13 perches [65m] west of the gallaun on the same ridge are the remains of what must have been a large and strong Cashel or Cahir, called Cahirfert [KE020-037----], and farther west again on the tableland forming the top or back of the ridge there are remains of an ancient burial ground where probably the early church of Kileacle which gives name to the adjoining townland had been, but of any buildings there are no vestiges at present. The spot where the ancient grave was opened lies to the east of the gallaun, about 40 feet outside the circle that surrounds it, and is probably on the outer verge of the ancient aenagh or Pagan cemetery'.

Faint outline of levelled royal site of 'Caherferta' (diam. c. 47m) transected at W by a post 1700 field boundary running roughly N-S is visible on Digital Globe orthophoto taken between 2011-13.

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 13 June 2022

References

Toal, C. 1995 North Kerry Archaeological Survey. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority.

Lynch, P.J. 1892 Report of Mr. P. J. Lynch, M.R.I.A.I., Hon. Provincial Secretary, North Munster. Miscellanea. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 22, 80-3.