Ringfort - cashel

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, located at the W end of a ridge, with a steep fall of ground at S−SW and a more gradual, undulating slope at NW-N. The location provides good views, especially to S–W.
This cashel consists of a slightly raised circular area (32.4m N–S; 32.3m E–W) enclosed by a ruined drystone wall, incorporated into a later system of field walls.
At NE−S the external face of the enclosing wall survives to a height (H 0.8m–1m) of between four to seven courses of horizontally laid slabs and stones, with larger slabs used in the basal course. It appears to forms a facing on a scarp, and the top of the wall does not rise above internal ground level. At S the wall incorporates a single large boulder (Wth c. 1.4m; H 0.7m) that breaks the courses. At SSW–W the external wall-face is reduced to a single basal course of large boulders and slabs, and at W–N drystone walling (Wth 1.2m; ext. H 1.2-1.5m) of small and medium-sized stones, with a basal course of large stones, rests on a low earthen scarp (H 0.5m) -here the wall has a low, sod-covered internal stony lip (Wth 1.2m; int. H 0.5m).
A gap (Wth 1.4m) in the wall at E may be the original entrance. It is flanked by rough walling/large stones. Extending for a short distance from the gap into the interior is a linear depression or slightly sunken area (Wth c. 1.4m). Outside the gap there is a grass-covered rise (Wth 4-5m) incorporating boulders and field clearance debris. Field clearance heaps are also piled against, or close to the cashel wall at NE and SE.
A property wall, on a roughly N–S axis, bisects the cashel interior to E of centre. Another field wall bisects the W half of the interior roughly centrally, extending to WNW from the N−S property wall. To E of the N−S property wall, the interior shows evidence of disturbance, and is partly obscured by hawthorn bushes and brambles. There is a local tradition of a souterrain (MA072-082001-) in this part of the cashel. To W of the property wall, the interior is level and grassy. At WNW there is a large, ground-fast boulder. A large slab leans against the W side of the boulder; the base of the slab rests in a shallow hollow.

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 1 May 2021