Caherkiltaan

On a gentle SW-facing slope in rough pasture, within a large multiperiod field system (CL009- 059001-). Hachured and named ‘Caherkiltaan’ on the 1842 and 1920 eds. of the OS 6-inch map. Named ‘Cathair Choillteáin’ on Robinson’s map (1977). This subrectangular cashel (int. dims. 25m E- W; 24m N-S; ext. dims. 42m N-S; 38.5m E-W) is defined by a flat-topped stony bank (Wth 8-9.5m; Wth at W 5m; H 0.8-1m; ext. H at S 1.4-2m). There is no evidence of the ‘large, good masonry’ recorded by Westropp (1900-1902, 426). Later drystone field boundaries (Wth 0.5m; H 1.2-1.7m) are built over the cashel perimeter at E and S. In the cashel interior there are several straight and curving grass-covered mounds (L c. 5-15m; H 0.6- 1.1m; Wth c. 2-5m) of earth and occasional large stones, surrounding slightly sunken areas (L 8-15m; Wth 7-8m). It is unclear whether these features are the result of quarrying, or how they might relate to the ‘cross wall and some prostrate pillar stones’ noted by Westropp (1897, 117). Bowmer (2019, 82-3) recorded a possible house/hut site at this cashel. Two enclosures (CL009-239---- and CL009-254----) lie c. 185m to the SSW. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 8 February 2022

Caherkiltaan is a ringfort situated on a south-west facing slope, identified on early Ordnance Survey maps as 'Caherkiltaan' and later as 'Cathair Choillteáin', reflecting its early-medieval origins and possible association with a figure named Choillteán. The site is likely of early-medieval date and may have been a habitation or defensive structure, with the name and location suggesting a possible link to local folklore involving fairies or other supernatural beings.