Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Barloughra

Situated at the N end of a plateau with land falling away to NE and rising to S. A subcircular ringfort (int. dims. 26.5m ENE-WSW; 22.6m NNW-SSE; max. dim. 44m) defined by an earthen bank and outer flat-bottomed fosse. The monument has been maintained as a lawn and some deciduous trees grow around the bank. The bank is best preserved SSE-WNW (Wth 5.3-5.5m; int. H 0.6-0.8m; ext. H 1.6-1.7m). It is wider and lower from NW-SE where it is closest to the adjacent house and patio. From NE to SE the fosse has been reduced to a shallow outer lip (H 0.05m) and it has been replaced along its S extent by a laneway running inside the boundary wall. A distinct bank/fosse break at S-W may indicate that this portion of the fosse was drained at some point. The fosse is best preserved S-NNE (Wth at base 1.1m; ext. D 0.4-0.6m). The interior of the ringfort is flat with a slight slope to NNE. The original entrance gap (Wth 1.4m) is at SE but there are other gaps at W and S. The following images have been uploaded: CL041-047----_01.jpg From E. View across the interior and showing bank from E-NW. CL041-047----_02.jpg From SW. Oblique view of bank and fosse. CL041-047----_03.jpg From S. View of bank and fosse at SE. This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 3/1976). Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 9 April 2019

A subcircular earthen ringfort in Barloughra, likely dating to the early medieval period, featuring internal dimensions of approximately 26.5m by 22.6m and a maximum overall dimension of 44m, with a bank and flat-bottomed fosse. Local tradition refers to it as a "fairy fort," reflecting the common Irish belief in such sites as dwellings of the faé or ancient spirits.