Cahercashlaun

On a natural promontory in elevated largely scrub-covered pasture with clear views in all directions and within a multiperiod field system (CL005-227004-). The NW and S sides of the monument run along a sheer limestone cliff, falling to a ravine below. Indicated and named ‘Cahercashlaun’ on the 1839 and 1916 OS 6-inch maps. A suboval area (51m NE-SW; 27m NNW-SSE) defined by a drystone wall (ext. H 0.5-2.6m; int. H 1-2m; Wth 1-1.2m). The wall is best preserved at NNE and is lowest from SW to NNW. Westropp (1899, 377-8) noted a gateway in the E side of the monument. The interior is flat and contains a Man-made underground passage (CL005-153002-) NW of centre. Westropp’s plan of the site (ibid., 376) shows enclosures abutting its E wall, but they are now covered in vegetation. The monument is impacted by encroaching hazel scrub. The enclosure is depicted on the OS maps as extending to the E (c. 28m NE-SW; c. 30m NW-SE). On inspection in 1998 this area was completely concealed by vegetation. Westropp described this ‘lower’ E area as ‘surrounded by a coarsely built wall of much larger blocks than the upper fort, many being 6 feet [1.8m] long; in parts the wall is 5 and 6 feet high [1.5-1.8m] … The entrance was through a regular cleft, sloping upwards through the crag-ledge; it was about 4 feet [1.2m] wide, roofed by lintels, now fallen’.    Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Eve Campbell   Date of upload: 21 October 2025

A local fairy fort (ringfort/rath); wider significance not recorded.