What is recorded here

Cliff-edge fort in Castletowncooley is a D-shaped enclosure on the lower slopes of the Cooley Mountains, where a ravine replaces the eastern bank and forces every defender to face the gap instead of hiding behind stone. Its wide terrace still carries cultivation ridges, smoothing away the rooms, hearths or tunnels that once gave the place its rhythm. People may have lived there beside the dropping land, reading weather in the valley mist and trusting the cliff to do half the work of a wall.

The following description is derived from both the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1986) and the 'Archaeological Survey of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1991). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 July 2007 Situated on wide terrace on the lower S slopes of the Cooley Mountains, with ravine immediately to E of site. The fort has a D shaped interior (max. dims. 31m N-S, 23.5m E-W) enclosed by a bank and external fosse on all sides except to E where the site is bounded by the ravine. The interior of the site slopes slightly from N to S and is covered by cultivation ridges which have destroyed any surface internal features.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.