Cliff-edge fort in Cooney

On a prominent rock outcrop on a NNW-facing slope in rough mountain terrain overlooking the narrow winding Cooney-Glen gap through the Ox Mountains. A relatively flat D-shaped area (dims. c. 16m NNE-SSW; 14.8m WNW-ESE) at the top of a rock outcrop, the straight NNE side of which is defined by a high steep cliff-face. For the remainder of the circuit ENE-NNW the interior is defined by the fragmentary remains of a rough drystone wall (Wth 2.4m, int. H 0.6m; ext. H 1.2m), composed of large rocks and boulders, positioned a short distance below the top of the rock outcrop. At SE, where it is best preserved, the wall is up to three courses high. For much of the remainder of the circuit only its outline is now identifiable, as many of the stones have collapsed down the hill. 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