Promontory fort - coastal

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on a coastal promontory jutting S. This is a grass-covered L-shaped area of c. 1 ha (dims. c. 80m NE-SW; c. 30m NW-SE) defended at the narrowest point where it is attatched to the mainland at the NE end of the NW side by two eroded banks and fosses. The inner bank (Wth 4.8m; int. H 0.35m; ext. H 0.55m; L 22m) and fosse (Wth of top 6.35m; Wth of base 2m; D 0.5m) are separated by a berm (Wth 12m) from the outer bank (Wth 2m; int. H 0.3m; ext. H 1.1m; L 27m) and outer fosse (Wth of top 5.1m; Wth of base 2.5m; D below outer field bank 1.45m). The causeways across the outer (Wth 6m) and inner (Wth 3m) fosses are possibly modern. (Westropp 1906, 256; 1908, 230; 1914-16, 215)

Westropp, T. J. (1906) Notes on certain promontory forts in the counties of Waterford and Wexford. JRSAI, 36, 239-58.
Westropp, T. J. (1908) Promontory forts in the Irrus, County Clare; Part 2. Loop Head and Cross group, JRSAI 36, 221-31.
Westropp, T. J. (1914-16) Fortiified headlands and castles on the south coast of Munster. PRIA C vol. 32, 188-227.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Waterford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload/Revision: 27 May 2011