What is recorded here

Backlees holds a massive oval fort on a hill summit, commanding excellent farming land below. Earthen banks, a terrace, and a fosse still mark its layers, though soil and time have worn parts away. The entrance faces east where the slope eases, inviting entry rather than defying it. A fort is not a fantasy despite its name; it is a claim written in earth, rock, and sightlines.

Internal diam. 12.5m N-S, 17m E-W. A massive fortification consisting of an oval area enclosed by an inner earthen bank up to 1m high. Below this is a terrace and below this again a fosse and second outer bank. The inner bank has gone on the SE sector and the outer bank in the S sector. The outer bank is revetted by a stone wall on the N side which is probably modern. There is an entrance consisting of breaks in the banks and a causeway across the fosse at the E side where the approaching slope is more gradual. Rock outcrop breaks through in several places particularly along the middle terrace. It is situated on the summit of a hill commanding the neighbouring area of excellent farming land. 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). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008

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