Caherbarnagh

In an area of rough pasture and outcropping karstic limestone within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL009-001001-). Hachured on the 1842 and 1920 eds. of the OS 6-inch map; labelled as 'Caherbarnagh' on the latter as well as on the 1897 OS 25-inch map. Named 'Cathair Bhearnach' on Robinson's (1977) map. Translated by Westropp (1901, 11) as 'stone fort of the gap'. This subcircular cashel (36m E-W; 34m N-S) is generally defined by an inner bank surrounded by a berm and scarp. The enclosing elements are truncated from SSE-SSW by a modern road. The round-topped earth and stone inner bank (Wth 2.4m; int. H 0.3m; ext. H 0.75m) shows traces of upright limestone slab revetting on both faces (Wth between revetments 1.2m at NNW). There is an entrance gap (Wth 2m) at E. To the S of this the bank survives as a collapsed wall (Wth 1.15m; int. H 0.15m; ext. H 0.6m). The berm (Wth 4-7m) and scarp (H 0.5m) surrounding the bank also survive from SW-E; to the S of the entrance there is a fosse (av. Wth 3.9m) with an outer bank (av. Wth 1.8m; int. H 0.2m; ext. H 1.15m), both have a combined width of up to 8m. A number of features are visible in the interior, all against the bank-face. At NW there is a subtriangular earth-and-stone platform, comprising an indistinct lower level (10m NE-SW; 10m NW-SE; H 0.2m) and an upper level (6m N-S; 5m E-W; H 0.8m). Another triangular area (11m NE-SW; 6m NW-SE) at SE is defined by a low collapsed and grass-covered wall (Wth 0.8m; H 0.1m). In the N sector a roughly rectangular enclosure (9.5m NE-SW; 4m NW-SE) is defined on the W side by a collapsed stone wall (Wth 0.6m; H 0.25m) and along the S side by a line of upright limestone slabs. Another few uprights to W suggest the presence of a second similar enclosure. A rectangular feature (c. 11m E-W; c. 7m N-S) is also visible at SW on current aerial imagery (Geohive MapGenie Imagery (2013-2018). The following image has been uploaded: CL008-047----_01 Aerial view from W Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 19 October 2022

Caherbarnagh is a ringfort situated in a karstic limestone landscape, likely dating to the early medieval period. It is associated with local folklore referring to it as a fairy fort, suggesting a tradition of supernatural or otherworldly significance.