What is recorded here
Daly's Fort vanished beneath the crossroads where Tralee-Farranfore meets Castleisland-Castlemaine, leaving no visible mound but a hidden chamber beneath ordinary ground. Capt. D. B. O'Connell recorded the lost rath and its possible underground passage in the 1930s, preserving what traffic and time had swallowed. The fairies did not depart; they waited for humans to stop seeing the edge of their house.
On level ground, at the centre of the Tralee-Farranfore/Castleisland-Castlemaine crossroads. A rath, known as 'Daly's Fort', and a possible Man-made underground passage (KE047-017001-) were recorded here by Capt. D. B. O'Connell in the 1930s (SMR file). This rath is not visible at ground level.
Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork.
Date of upload: 31 January 2011
A fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Ballyfinnane, likely dating to the early medieval period, is situated at a significant crossroads, suggesting a strategic or ceremonial role. Known locally as 'Daly's Fort,' it is associated with folklore surrounding fairy activity and may have been recorded with a possible underground passage, hinting at additional archaeological complexity.
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
Man-made underground passage in BallyfinnaneMan-made underground passage · 1 yd
Ballyfinnane Br.Bridge · 55 yd
Enclosure in Curraghmore WestEnclosure · 1157 yd
Cloonmealane CastleCastle · 1.2 mi
Site of CourtCastle, unclassified · 1.7 mi
Molahiffe Church (in rRuins)Church · 1.8 mi
Ballygamboon Forest Recreation AreaWood · 2.0 mi
Monument WoodWood · 4.1 mi
Knockmichael MountainMountain / peak · 4.3 mi