Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Castleore

On the top of a high ridge, close to a break of slope on the N side. A slightly raised circular area (c. 26m E-W; c. 27m N-S) enclosed by an earthen bank (Wth 2m; int. H 0.4m; ext. H 1m) with an external fosse. The fosse is evident NE-SE as a shallow flat-bottomed, waterlogged depression (Wth 2.5m) and is recut (Wth 1.7m; D 0.5m) at W to serve as a field drain. The fosse becomes a flat terrace (Wth 2m) of damp ground NNW-NE, its outer edge coinciding with the top of the steep ridge slope. A N-S field drain (Wth 1m; D 0.4m) cuts across the W edge of the rath, more or less on the inner face of the bank. The external face of the bank at S is incorporated into an E-W field boundary. There is a possible entrance (Wth 1.6m) at E with the remains of stone facing. The entrance is partially obstructed on the inner edge by two large stones. There is a hint of a causeway across the fosse. The rath is engulfed in a thicket of hazel, blackthorn and brambles. The interior is level. There is a Man-made underground passage (SL021-031002-) in the NW quadrant. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005). Date of upload: 18 January 2008