What is recorded here

Ballymascanlan holds an Early Christian ringfort whose curving ditch still traps animal bones and mussel shells. People likely lived, loved and lost things there before human memory faded. The fairy fort name suggests that forgotten life still shapes the land.

Discovered during archaeological test trenching (Excavation Licence No. 96E0039). Part of a curving ditch (Wth 2.5 - 3m; max. D 1.85m) containing animal bones and mussel shells was uncovered. Proposed development was moved to avoid further impact on the site. The available evidence has led to the suggestion 'that this was the ditch of an enclosure of the Early Christian period' (Campbell 1997, 73). Man-made underground passage (LH004-127002-) situated c. 10m N of where ditch was excavated. Reference: Campbell, K. 1997 Ballymacscanlan. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 1996: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 73 (No. 258). Bray. Wordwell. Compiled by: Claire Breen Date of upload: 18 November 2011

A fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Ballymascanlan is a circular earthwork likely dating to the early medieval period, based on its ditched structure and associated finds such as animal bones and mussel shells. Local tradition may associate the site with fairy lore, as its name suggests, though specific folklore is not recorded.

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