Discover Alone, back to main map

Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Ballybutler

Fairy fort / earthen ringfort

What is recorded here

Fairy forts are human ringforts misnamed, often built or reused in medieval times. In Ballybutler, a shallow circular ridge about nineteen metres across still marks the place where a deeper fort once stood. The name sounds like invention, but the shape is a room made by hands: a boundary, a threshold, a small claim on the land.
In pasture, atop slight rise. Marked on 1935 OS 6-inch map as circular raised area (diam. c. 20m) enclosed by fosse with external bank. According to local information, levelled c. 1979. Circular slightly raised area (diam. 19m) survives; shallow depression in centre. 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.

What survives
Recorded monument

Places near here

Add to this placeAdd a picture Comment or add a tip

Explore 1,118,481 places