Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Baile An Lochaigh

Internal diam. 23.8m N-S, 24.7m E-W. A circular rath situated on fairly level ground at the E edge of the flat, boggy plain drained by the Feohanagh river and its tributaries. The earthen enclosing bank is revetted internally with drystone walling which is a maximum of 2m high. Externally the bank is a maximum of 3m in height. There is no obvious break in the revetment walling which might indicate an entrance. However, at 3 points, to NW, SW and ESE, the enclosing element is composed entirely of stone and one or other of these sections may block an entrance gap through the bank. At SSE and SW the inner face bulges inwards as if to retain slip from the bank. These bulges appear to be contemporary with the remainder of the facing and this may indicate that the stonework is a later addition to the enclosure. A 2.8m wide fosse is traceable outside the bank to NE and N. An outer bank, 1.2m high and 4.2m wide, and a possible outer fosse occur for a short distance at NE only. This bank retains fragments of stone facing on both sides. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 302. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 6 August 2013