Ballyelly Caher (in ruins)

On the inner edge of a shelf, on the NW-facing slopes of Slieve Elva, just below a cashel (CL004-016013-). A subcircular enclosure (ext. dims. 43.1m NE–SW; 38m NW–SE; int. dims. 41.4m NE–SW; 36.7m NW–SE) defined by a partially grassed-over drystone wall (H 0.4–0.8m). It surrounds a natural hollow markedly lower that the exterior ground. A rock-cut shelf (Wth 3m; H 1.6m) runs NE–S inside and merges with the line of the wall to the SW and NE. Grassed-over field walls extend from N and W and the enclosure lies within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL004-016001-), covering an area of c. 8 sq km. There is a dense cluster of cashels in the vicinity. One cashel (CL004-016013-) is just c.16m to the E, a second (CL004-016014-) is c. 85m SE. Two further cashels (CL004-016012- and CL004-016011-) are 75m and 125m to the NNE. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 23 February 2021

Ballyelly Caher is a subcircular early-medieval ringfort, likely dating to between the 6th and 10th centuries AD, situated on the slopes of Slieve Elva near a cashel, indicating a possible settlement or defensive function. Local tradition may associate such sites with fairy lore, though specific folklore connected to this site is not recorded.