Ringfort - cashel

The National Monuments Service's description

Internal diam. 30m N-S, 58.5m E-W
A large oval cashel situated on a N facing slope overlooking Brandon Bay. The ruined remains of 4 hut-sites are traceable in the interior. The N half of the enclosure is defined by a steep scarp which falls up to 3m to the level of the field below. In the NW sector a single course of the outer face of the cashel wall is visible along the top of the scarp. The S half of the enclosure wall consists of a band of collapsed stones, lm high and 1.5m wide, now overlain by a field wall. The inner facing of large boulders can be traced intermittently for a length of 17.5m at the W end. From E to SE the line of the wall is marked by a low bank of turf-covered stones with some outer facing stones protruding above ground. As this latter wall continues downslope beyond the cashel, it may be of more recent origin, but nonetheless probably preserves the outline of the original wall. Two sloping ramps lead up the scarp at N and E; the former is modern, but the latter, c. 2m wide, may represent the entrance. A very low bank bisects the enclosure N-S. This division is noted on the 2nd edition of the OS map as the boundary between the uncultivated W section and the E section which was incorporated into the surrounding field; it may be a later feature. The hut-sites are grouped together in the W half of the enclosure.

(1) A circular stone hut, internal diameter c. 4.4m, built into the cashel wall at S. Only the S arc of the wall is preserved. This stands to a maximum height of 1.9m, but the upper courses may be contemporary with the field wall which overlies it.

(2) Immediately S of (1) and possibly conjoined with it, is a possible hut-site marked by a depression enclosed by a low bank of earth and stones.

(3) Immediately NW of (2), and possibly conjoined with it, is a circular hut, 4m in internal diameter. The inner wall face can be traced for most of the circumference, except for a 2.5m wide gap at N; it stands up to 1.3m high. No outer facing is visible.

(4) Abutting the NW side of (3) is a less well-preserved hut, c. 4.3m in internal diameter. The inner wall face can be traced for most of the circumference, except for a confused gap at N. It survives to a maximum height of .45m; the outer face is not visible.
Other spreads of stone and ill-defined mounds and hollows in the immediate vicinity do not form any recognisable pattern but may indicate additional huts.

The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 575. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 7 August 2013