Derrora Stone Ringfort, fairy fort in County Donegal

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Internal diam. 22.5m N-S, 17.5m E-W. An oval area enclosed by a low wall/bank surviving to a height of .75m on the E, with only a bare outline visible on the W. The wall is formed of small stones and turf, and exploits sections of rock outcrop. Pos-sible traces of a circular foundation with a possible entrance to the NW, c. 2m in diameter, can be seen adjoining the wall on the N side. At the base of the mound on which the site stands is a small chamber-like structure formed of stones. This is partially encroached upon by the turf. The site is located on a mound of rock outcrop in bogland. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983).

From the National Monuments Service (Archaeological Survey of Ireland) record DG052-020

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Picture notes

Computer-made picture. It does not show this monument.
Computer-made picture. It does not show this mountain top.
Kenneth Allen, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
Kenneth Allen, Geograph · Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0
Dr Neil Clifton, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Computer-made picture. It does not show this playground.
Malene Thyssen, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Ross, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

Fairy fort / ringfort in Cabra GlebeFairy fort / ringfort · 1.3 miTom: I’m here to help · Computer-made picture. It does not show this monument.

Explorer Tom Fairy fort / ringfort in Cabra Glebe appeared on an old map, but tree planting had almost erased it when surveyed. The account compares it with a nearby ringfort. Two sites once seemed similar; only a careful old plan could tell me how close the match was.

Standing stone in CrockrawStanding stone · 1.3 miTom: I’m here to help · Computer-made picture. It does not show this monument.

Explorer Tom Standing stone in Crockraw is a thin slab, only 1.25m high, standing on boggy land. It’s leaning slightly NE-SW on the slope of a hill. I bet it’s having a bit of fun sliding down the hillside, one inch at a time.

Knockaleen MoreMountain / peak · 1.4 miTom: I’m here to help · Computer-made picture. It does not show this mountain top.

Explorer Tom Knockaleen More has a 'shortcut' that is basically a roundabout in the sky. You take it, you get lost, you arrive late and grumpy. Find the date carved somewhere and feel clever about your wasted afternoon.

Cabra HillMountain / peak · 1.7 miTom: I’m here to help · Computer-made picture. It does not show this mountain top.

Explorer Tom Cabra Hill is a spot where your phone battery drains faster than your enthusiasm for the view. The silence out here is loud and makes you feel like an intruder in nature’s living room. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes and just breathe.

Stackarnagh Abbey GraveyardGraveyard · 1.8 mi

Explorer Tom Stackarnagh Abbey Graveyard has a gatepost detail I keep coming back to: a reused window fragment carved with a fish biting the end of a moulding, with a rough unicorn above it. The survey says the stone probably came from the church's ruined south window. I can enjoy the odd pair without inventing what the medieval carver meant.

Saint Colmcille's Catholic ChurchChurch/chapel · 1.9 mi

Explorer Tom Saint Colmcille's Catholic Church was built around 1830, with a porch added around 1850. The inventory records carved Stations of the Cross inside and shamrocks on the gate. I thought its simple shape would make a short list; the little details keep adding themselves.

Saint Columba's Catholic ChurchChurch/chapel · 1.9 mi

Explorer Tom Saint Columba's Catholic Church in Kilpheak is wearing a thatch-like vibe, even though it got reroofed around 1890. No windows on the front wall? Bold choice for a church, gotta say. It keeps things mysterious and a bit spooky.

Wilkin's of Church HillPub · 2.0 mi

Explorer Tom Wilkin's of Church Hill in County Donegal sounds like it's guarded by an angel who demands tips. If the church bell rings, run for cover before the gossip starts.

Children's playground2.1 miTom: I’m here to help · Computer-made picture. It does not show this playground.

Explorer Tom Children's playground in County Donegal is covered in leaves that look like autumn's final apology for being so messy. I bet if you dig deep enough, you'll find a coin from 1985 and instant fame. Go back in winter, it's a different animal entirely.

European Beech3.0 mi

Explorer Tom European Beech in County Donegal is another one of those trees with attitude, standing tall while you try to figure out where you’re going. It’s calm, ancient, and completely unbothered by your presence. Go with someone who loves old stuff and watch them melt like butter on toast.

Glebe House and GalleryHeritage attraction · 3.0 mi

Explorer Tom Glebe House and Gallery lets me visit Derek Hill's home and then see what became of his studio. An 1828 house, art and woodland gardens make quite a three-part outing. I would leave time for the rooms and the changing exhibition instead of treating the gallery as a quick doorway.

Battle of ScarrifholisBattle · 4.6 mi

Explorer Tom Scarrifholis was nearly sold for a horse in 1650 because nobody could agree on the price. It’s still annoyed about that deal, honestly. Stand there long enough and someone will definitely ask if you’re lost or just having an existential crisis.

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