Why this matters
Cashel—Cloonmacduff is a likely early-medieval ringfort situated on a rise near the Arrow or Unshin river, featuring an oval enclosure with a central "Druids Altar," suggesting ritual or ceremonial significance. Local tradition may associate it with pre-Christian druidic activity or fairy lore, common in such sites.
What is recorded here
On top of a rise at a bend in the Arrow or Unshin river. An oval area (int. diam. 31m N-S; 36m E-W) enclosed by a stone wall (Wth 2m; H 0.3m) with external stone facing. A 'Druids Altar' (SL020-218003-) is in the centre of the interior. A possible church (SL020-218001-) is associated with this cashel. Described by O'Rorke (1878, 93-4) as 'a fort or rath of one hundred and forty feet [42.7m] in diameter, and five or six feet [1.52-1.82m] in height, though somewhat depressed and dilapidated in parts, and particularly at the edge, which was formerly faced with large stones, forming a cashel'. O'Rorke also recorded that the surrounding land was known as 'Patrick's pasture' (ibid.). St Patrick's well (SL020-217----) is c. 160m to SSW. There is a cashel (SL020-218004-) immediately to NW and a Man-made underground passage (SL020-218005-) c. 30m to NW.
The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005).
Date of upload: 18 January 2008
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