Coolcran Fort, fairy fort or earthen ringfort in County Mayo

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What is recorded here

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In pasture, located at a break of slope on the S side a rise, with a stream c. 50m to S, and very good views in all directions. Named ‘Coolcran Fort’ on the 1838 and 1922 OS 6-inch maps, this rath consists of a raised circular area (33m N–S; 29.5m E–W) defined by an earthen scarp, topped at E–WSW by a slightly raised stony internal rim (Wth 2.7m). The scarp (Wth slope c. 4m at SSW, 2m at N; ext. H 2m at SSW, 0.7m at N) is markedly more pronounced on the S half, where the rath is built up to compensate for the natural slope and to create a level interior. A slumped area (Wth 2m) in the scarp at E may indicate the location of the original entrance. At N–SSE the scarp has been modified to serve as a property division, and is topped with a post and wire fence and buttressed externally with a bank of stone. Ground level is slightly higher in the NW quadrant of the interior, and here close to the scarp at NW, there is a very shallow depression which may indicate the location of a Man-made underground passage (MA038-065002-). Traces of cultivation ridges traverse the interior on a NNW–SSE axis, particularly evident in the W half. A low field wall on a NNW–SSE axis bisects the E half of the interior. The rath perimeter is ringed with oak, hazel and blackthorn.

From the National Monuments Service (Archaeological Survey of Ireland) record MA038-065001

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Maker not stated on source page, nl.pinterest.com
Maker not stated on source page, en.wikipedia.org
Maker not stated on source page, www.tonyoneill.org
Maker not stated on source page, www.lonelyplanet.com
National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
Maker not stated on source page, tr.pinterest.com
Maker not stated on source page, www.thewildatlanticway.com
David Farrell Photography / Western People, www.westernpeople.ie
Golfing in Ireland; photographer not stated, Source publisher
Maker not stated on source page, www.dreamstime.com

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