Promontory fort - coastal

The National Monuments Service's description

Identified from an aerial survey by Markus Casey who described this monument as a small S-facing triangular grass-covered promontory (dims. 19m N-S; 8m E-W) which has a low curving earthen bank (H 0.3m) running across the neck, with a vague depression outside it suggesting a former fosse. Inside the garth runs a low earthen mound (dims. 7m x 3m; H 0.5m) across the narrowing garth. This may be either the remains of a second bank or an internal division or structure. Not enough remains to ascertain its true nature. The headland continues SW for a further 40m as a line of inaccessible, nearly vertical, sea rocks, suggesting the promontory was larger when enclosed as a fort. A land commission earthen boundary runs along the cliff edges and the area is one of fertile pasture. Several similar headlands along this coastline are also enclosed. (Casey 2001)

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 24 November 2021

References

Casey, M. 2001 The coastal promontory forts of Ireland: interim report for the Heritage Council. Unpublished specialist report, National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.