Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Ballinphunta (inchiquin By.)

On a gentle E-facing slope in pasture. Hachured on both the first (1842) and Cassini (1920) editions of the OS 6-inch map. Named ‘Lios Bhetty’ on Robinson’s map of the Burren (1977). Listed as ‘Enclosure’ in the RMP (1996). This well-preserved, hazel-covered subcircular rath (int. dims. 31.2m N-S; 28.2m E-W; ext. dims. 51.6m N-S; 45m E-W) is defined by an inner bank, an outer bank and an intervening fosse. The inner bank (av. Wth 4.5-5m; int. H 0.5-0.8m; ext. H 1.1-1.4m) is lower (Wth 3.5m; int. H 0.5m; ext. H 0.7m) from N-E-SE and there is a stone spread on it from ENE-ESE. From ESE-SE there are traces of inner facing-stones on the bank. The generally round-bottomed fosse (Wth of base 1.2-2.2m) is deeper (D 1.2m below top of outer bank) along the W-half of its circuit, and much shallower (D 0.2-0.5m) around the E-half, where its outer edge is lined with field stones. Stones have also been dumped into the fosse on the W. The outer bank (Wth 5m; ext. H 0.6m) is traceable only along the N with its probable circuit overlain by a later field wall (Wth 0.4m; max. H 0.5m) elsewhere. The rath entrance (Wth 3.6m) is at ESE, and is lined by rough and probably later drystone walls (Wth 1m; H 0.4m) of quite large boulders, and field stones of a similar size are dumped in the fosse to the S of the entrance. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 20 July 2023

A fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Ballinphunta, likely dating to the early medieval period, is associated with local folklore as a dwelling place of fairies, given its traditional name "Lios Bhetty." It appears on historical maps from 1842 and 1920, indicating long-standing recognition of its form and significance.