Drimneen Fort

At the top of a hill with wide views in all directions, the land falls most dramatically to S. Hachured and labelled ‘Drimneen Fort’ on the 1842 and 1920 eds. of the OS 6-inch map. Marked and labelled ‘Drimneen Fort (Droimnín)’ on Robinson’s map (1977). Listed as ‘Enclosure’ in the RMP (1996). This oval rath (max. dims. 42.7m NW-SE; 35m NE-SW) is defined by an earthen bank (Wth 4m; int. H 0.5-1.2m; ext. H 1-1.4m) from W to N to E, interrupted at NNW by an oval depression (8m NE-SW; 5m NW-SE) in which rushes are growing. From E to W to S, it is defined by a scarp (H 1-1.2m). Drystone walls (H 0.2-0.6m; Wth 0.4m) and associated stone spill overlie the perimeter, except from W to NNW. The interior slopes to the SE. Two gaps in the bank, one at W (Wth 1.6m), which is blocked by a drystone wall, and another at SE (Wth 5m) are not original features. Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 25 May 2022

Drimneen Fort, Ballykeel North is a ringfort, likely dating to the early medieval period, situated on a prominent hilltop with strategic views. It is associated with local folklore referring to it as a fairy fort, reflecting the common Irish tradition linking such sites to supernatural beings.