What is recorded here
Doonyvardan holds a circular bivallate rath on a natural knoll, surrounded by damp boggy ground and forestry. Its inner bank, rush-filled fosse and outer scarp remain visible beside an enclosure on a bluff one hundred metres south. The site has appeared on maps since 1842 and entered the Regional Monument Protection list in 1996 as an enclosure. People may have built it to keep rain, invaders or ordinary forgetfulness at a distance.
On top of a natural knoll and surrounded on all sides by damp boggy ground planted with forestry. Hachured on the 1842 and 1916 eds of the 6-inch OS maps. Listed as an ‘Enclosure’ in the RMP (1996). A moderately well-preserved circular bivallate rath (est. diam. 54m; int. dims. 17m E-W; 15m N-S) defined by an inner bank (Wth 5m; int. H 0.5-0.8m; ext. H 1.6-2.2m), a rush-filled fosse (Wth 1.8-2.6m) and an outer bank that survives as a scarp from NNE-SW (int. H 0.4-0.5m). An enclosure (CL005-280----) overlooks the site from on top of an outcropping bluff, c. 100m to the S.
Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin
Date of upload: 27 February 2023
A fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Doonyvardan is a circular earthwork enclosure, likely dating to the early medieval period, constructed as a defensive or agricultural settlement. It is associated with local folklore referring to it as a "fairy fort," reflecting traditional beliefs in otherworldly inhabitants.
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- Recorded monument
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