What is recorded here

Marianne and I walked past a ringfort in Altamira, its earthen bank broken in several places and its shallow ditch holding rainwater. We called it a fairy fort because the gap faced south like an invitation rather than a defensive entrance. I pictured people moving through that gap at dusk, not soldiers or traders, but neighbours carrying food, tools or news. The measurement and the story both fit because the circle still directs the body.

In pasture, on gentle SE-facing slope. Circular area (45.8m E-W; 43.1m N-S) enclosed by earthen bank (int. H 1.2m; ext. H 1.4m), worn in parts, with external fosse (D 0.8m) except to NW where skirted by roadway. Waterlogging in fosse to SE. Numerous gaps in bank; possible entrance (Wth 3.65m) to S. Interior features formed by low rises form no definite pattern. 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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