Discover Alone, back to main map

Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Ballyedmond

Fairy fort / earthen ringfort

What is recorded here

Fairy forts are human places misnamed by fear or wonder. In Ballyedmond, a fifty-metre earthen ring still stands beside modern walls and potato ridges, its northern passage preserving the shape of entry. Whether people lived there, stored grain, or simply marked the land remains unrecorded, but the bank still separates inside from outside.
The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 July 2007 Circular area (diam. c. 50m) surrounded by stone-faced earthen bank with entrance and passage way (L 4.8m; Wth 2.5m) at N. Enclosed by modern stone wall. Stone wall divides interior, with potato ridges to W. Stone facing probably modern.
A fairy fort, or earthen ringfort, in Ballyedmond is a circular earthwork enclosure typical of early-medieval Ireland, likely dating to between the 5th and 10th centuries AD. Local tradition associates such sites with the faé or supernatural beings, and they were often avoided for fear of disturbing ancient inhabitants.

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