Promontory fort - coastal

The National Monuments Service's description

This large W-facing promontory is in an area of rough grazing along the southwestern shore of Inishkea South. The surrounding land is covered with old cultivation ridges and the point is the highest in this part of the island. The headland measures 400m E-W by 140m N-S and is defined by sheer rocky cliffs, which drop into narrow sea inlets at N and S; it is cut off from the rest of the island by a straight N−S wall standing on an earthen bank. The wall is nearly totally collapsed and now stands only 1m high, it is 4m wide including slip. It diminishes in height at either cliff edge and there is no trace of an entrance. Several sheep-shelters were built against its outer face. The lazybeds that cover the surrounding area run across the remains of the bank, and also cover much of the E half of the interior. The summit of the promontory at its W end consists of high flat plateau with rock outcropping breaking the thin sod cover. From here ground falls steeply down to E, levelling out somewhat towards the N-S wall. Some settings of stones within the interior may be artificial. This possible site had not been previously recorded.

These descriptions are derived from the MA thesis of Markus Casey 1999 The coastal promontory forts of Ireland. A survey of counties Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Clare. Unpublished MA thesis, National University of Ireland, Galway.

Attached images:
MA023-023----_01.JPG Promontory viewed from E
MA023-023----_01.JPG Enclosing wall

Date of upload: 5 December 2018

References

Casey, M. 1999 The coastal promontory forts of Ireland. A survey of counties Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Clare. Unpublished MA thesis, National University of Ireland, Galway.