Ringfort - cashel

The National Monuments Service's description

Internal diam. 26m N-S, 29m E-W
Located on top of a hillock, this ruined circular caher commands an impressive view N over the upper reaches of the Ferta river valley and Dingle Bay beyond. The sod-covered enclosing stone wall is very denuded. Its exposed portions reveal a wall consisting of a rubble core faced internally and externally with drystone masonry. There appears to be double facing externally at N and S. The wall has an average thickness of 4.5m and survives to a maximum external height of 1.3m at NW. A gap, 3.4m wide, at E may represent the original entrance. There are the remains a wall chamber in the enclosing element at S. Measuring 3.5m long, .9m wide and .9m deep, it was originally roofed with lintels, only three of which remain in situ. Ua Riain recorded that access was gained from it 'to rooms under the cahir' (KE080-010001-) (1927). There is at present no indication of any such passages, though the chamber's E end is obscured with collapse. Ua Riain also recorded a circular depression near the centre of the site. This is no longer evident.

The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 623. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 29 July 2013