Promontory fort - coastal

The National Monuments Service's description

Located on a S-N promontory jutting N into the river Barrow/Nore/Suir, with a SE-NW ravine on the E side. This subtriangular grass-covered area (dims. c. 200m NE-SW; c. 170m N-S) is sloping down to the rounded apex at N, and it is defined by the river SW-N-NE and the ravine at E. The landward side is defined by an earth and stone bank (L c. 175m; Wth 9.5m; int. H 2m; ext H 2.2m) and outer fosse (Wth of top 5m; int. D 0.3m; ext. D 1.2m) on the S side. There is a slight berm (Wth c. 1.5m) between the base of the bank and the fosse, and there is evidence of stone cladding on the outer edge of the fosse. The fortified church (WX044-002001-) is within the promontory fort. (Westropp 1918, 14 15)

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wexford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1996). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload/revision: 18 June, 2013

References

Westropp, T.J. 1918 Five large earthworks in the barony of Shelbourne, Co. Wexford, Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquries of Ireland, vol. 48, 1-18.