What is recorded here

Fairy fort in Ballea, County Cork: a 50-metre earthen ring on a south-facing ridge, with a deep fosse, tall outer bank and saucer-shaped interior. People may have lived there, feared it, or avoided it because the shape still refuses to sound ordinary.

In pasture, on S-facing slope of E-W ridge. Roughly circular area (50m N-S; 46.7m E-W) enclosed by low inner bank (int. H 0.5m); fosse (D c. 1.8m); substantial outer bank (max. ext. H 3.2m) with berm on terrace (Wth 4m) on inner face. Entrance to S, with causeway across fosse; break in outer bank to NNW. Bank to W modified to incorporate limekiln (CO086-050001-). Interior saucer-shaped. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.