What is recorded here

Orchard trees and a small house occupy the pentagonal enclosure in Ballinaltig, yet the ancient boundary still emerges through the soil when drought removes the grass. The pentagon resists the circular logic of nearby forts, suggesting its builders valued angles or vision rather than ordinary defense. People may have lived there before the orchard, but the land has stopped answering questions about when.

Cropmark of fosse of pentagonal enclosure (diam. c. 30m) visible in aerial photograph (CASAP, July 1989). Possible ringfort (12911) c. 100m to NW. Within field system (12002). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

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