Caherawarraga

On slightly elevated, reclaimed pasture on the floor of Ballyvaughan valley, with good views from E to N. Hachured and named ‘Caherawarraga’ on the 1840 and 1916 eds. of the OS 6-inch map. However, according to O’Donovan (Comber 1997, 28), who recorded it as ‘Caher a Mhargaidh’, it was already ‘destroyed and even blotted off the surface of the land’ by 1840. Westropp (1901, 280) recorded some ‘foundation blocks’ at this location and believed the name to probably be derived from a nearby ‘eanagh or market’; however, he also noted (ibid.) that Dr Macnamara suggested it was derived from a local name for the valley ‘Glenarraga’. A largely destroyed and apparently D-shaped cashel (40m NW-SE; 35m NE-SW) defined by a scarped outline with no discernible entrance. The interior is uneven but otherwise featureless. A fieldwall runs along the N and E sectors. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 7 February 2022

Caherawarraga is a ringfort located in the Burren area, likely dating to the early medieval period, as indicated by its typical construction and landscape setting. It is associated with local folklore surrounding fairy forts, which were traditionally believed to be the homes of the Aos Sí or supernatural beings in Irish tradition.