What is recorded here
Fairy forts are not fairy forts. They are human homes, farmyards and refuge places from the Bronze Age to the middle ages. The label is a later invention, a disclaimer people invented so they would not have to imagine the lives inside. Ballyhoolahan still holds two rings of earth seven metres apart. That distance suggests a place built to be seen, defended and remembered. The fairies are not the point. The humans are.
In gently undulating pasture. Formerly circular enclosure (diam. c. 25m) has been truncated W->SE by field boundaries forming right-angled corner at NE; boundary on N side has been removes leaving break in slope to mark its course. Enclosing element survives SE->W and consists of two concentric earthen banks. Both inner bank (int. H 0.2m; ext. H 0.2m) and outer bank (int. H 0.2m; ext. H 0.2m) are clear of overgrowth; distance apart of banks crest-to-crest is 7m. Interior dips down gently towards centre and is covered by tall grass.
Compiled by: Denis Power
Date of upload: 26 August 2011
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
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Enclosure in BallynagaulEnclosure · 523 yd
Enclosure in Court (shanid By.)Enclosure · 1150 yd
Glin Castleoutbuilding · 1.0 mi
Bawn in Killacolla (barker)Bawn · 1.6 mi
Tarbet BayBay · 1.8 mi
Tarmon Castle (in ruins)Castle, unclassified · 2.2 mi
Mountshannon WoodWood · 3.1 mi
Mountshannon PointHeadland · 3.5 mi
Prospect HillMountain / peak · 3.8 mi
TobercloonaghSpring · 4.1 mi
Mountshannon EstateHeritage attraction · 4.4 mi