Fulacht fia

The National Monuments Service's description

Located on the lower W slopes of an E-W ridge that divides Derriana and Cloonaghlin loughs, on the S side of a small stream, are two adjoining fulachta fiadh and a third which lies 12m further to E. The fulacht fiadh at W is a horseshoe-shaped mound, 1.1m high, which faces the stream at NNE. It measures 9.7m in overall diameter and its U-shaped central depression measures 4.1m NNE-SSW x 4.5m WNW-ESE. Some large upright slabs protrude from the base of its S side. The composition of the mound is clearly visible and is of earth intermixed with quantities of fire-shattered stone and charcoal flecks and nodules. Adjacent at E, and similarly composed, is a second, larger, fulacht fiadh, 13m in diameter and more irregular in outline. A small flat-topped rise partly obstructs the open N end of the mound. Two ill-defined gaps, apparently of recent origin, occur at SW and SE. A third mound of horseshoe-shape occurs to E, measuring 8.9m NE-SW x 10.5m NW-SE. It is open at NW, where is depression measures 4.4m x 3.4m. The three sites occur within a complex of old field walls.

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. 412. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 28 July 2013