What is recorded here

Aerial photography reveals a hidden oval enclosure with internal divisions beneath the ploughed soil of Castleroe East. James McRoberts was buried in the centre of this earthen ring in 1768, placing a human life inside the ancient fairy fort. The invisible boundary suggests the land still holds its shape beneath the surface, waiting for rain or drought to draw the forgotten lines into view.

Shown on the 1909 OS 6-inch map as a circular area surrounded by a bank (max diam. c. 65m). No visible surface trace. According to Fitzgerald, James McRoberts of Castleroe was buried in the centre of monument in 1768 (FitzGerald 1899-1902, 249, 51). Described in 1955 as a slightly raised area enclosed by an earthen bank (Danaher 1955, no. 280), and the presence of McRoberts' tombstone is also noted. An aerial photograph (G. Barrett GB90.BT.35) shows the cropmark of a large oval enclosure (KD037-049001-) defined by a fosse surrounding the plough-levelled ringfort with traces of internal subdivisions within this outer enclosure. Date of upload: 15 September 2016

A fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Castleroe East, likely dating to the early medieval period, is marked on the 1909 Ordnance Survey map as a circular banked enclosure approximately 65 meters in diameter, though no surface remains are visible today. Local tradition notes that James McRoberts of Castleroe was buried in its centre in 1768, adding to its historical and possibly folkloric significance.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.