Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

A circular enclosure with a circular structure in its interior is marked at this location on the first edition of the OS map. Now levelled, it was located on the high E bank of a small river which flows S to Kenmare Bay. The steep scarp above the river probably formed its W and N sides, while three low mounds of earth and stone may indicate the extent of the enclosing element at SE, giving the site an overall diameter of about 30m. There are two collapsed openings to a stone-built souterrain passage (KE092-016002-) located in its SW quadrant. The opening at S measures .95m wide by .8m high, but the passage is infilled to within .4m of its roof. At least 4.3m long, it is aligned N-S and is roofed by a series of large flat slabs. This may be the site referred to as Knockaunnagoneen/Cnocán an Dúinín(?) or Cnocán na gCoinín in the OSNB, where it is described as a 'fort with a cave in it' (Templeno, 34).

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

Date of upload: 29 July 2013