Cahermacon

On a ridge of high ground in an E-W valley in reclaimed pastureland. Hachured on the 1840 and 1916 eds. of the OS 6-inch map and named ‘Cahermacon’ on the latter ed. Recorded by O’Donovan, in 1839, as a caher in the townland of ‘Cahermochunna’ ‘said to have been the residence of ‘O’Hehir’ (Comber 1997, 16). Listed as ‘Cahermachuna’ by Westropp (1900, 431) and described by him as ‘mere foundations’ and of ‘small dimensions’ (ibid., 1905, 211). Listed as Cashel in the RMP (1996). A subrectangular rath (int. dims. 24.4m E-W, c. 18m N-S) defined by a slightly curving low flat-topped bank from SE to W to N. Spoil has been piled on top of the bank from SW to N. It is best preserved at S (Wth 6.5m, int. H. 0.3m, ext. H. 1.2m) where occasional facing-stones are visible. A double-faced drystone townland boundary wall overlies the enclosing element from N to SE. A number of clearance cairns are visible in the interior. There is a cashel (CL016-034----) c. 130m to the WNW. Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 22 June 2022

Cahermacon is a ringfort, likely dating to the early medieval period, situated on a ridge in Ballycasheen. It is associated with local folklore referring to "fairy forts," reflecting the site's traditional Irish cultural significance.