Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Conaghy

A circular earthwork is shown on a hill at Conaghy on McCrea's map of County Monaghan (1793) in the National Library of Ireland (MS 161.10). This is probably the same as the 'fort of the Cú (hounds) …situated beside Mac Mahon's castle' (MO012-046----) known in the folk traditions (IFC: Schools’ MSS: 946, 59: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes ). The hill is easily identified but the exact positions of either the castle or the rath are not known. . The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Monaghan' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1986). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revised upload: 29 January, 2018