What is recorded here

Fairy forts are not for entry. The name is a warning, not an invitation. The fort in Footstown Little keeps that boundary intact: a raised circle, a hollow trench, an outer bank, and no clear door into the centre. People may have lived there before fear gave it a new shape. The fairies took the meaning. They still occupy the gap between what the earth shows and what anyone understands.

Located on a small hillock in an undulating landscape. This is a raised circular and grass-covered area (diam. 50m N-S) defined by an earthen bank (Wth of base 5-7m; int. H 0.3-0.7m; ext. H 2-2.5m) with some bushes which is reduced to a scarp (H 2m) E-S. This is separated by a rounded fosse (Wth of top 10-11m; Wth of base 2.5-3m; ext. D 1-2m) from an outer bank (Wth of base 8-11m; ext. H 2.2-3m) with some trees, and there are slight traces of an outer fosse NW-N (max. ext. diam. 85m N-S). The outer bank has been spread into a platform at W (Wth of base 12.5m E-W; Wth of top 7.5m E-W; int. H 1m; ext. H 2.2m) with slight banks on the inner and outer edges SSW-NNW and at NE. There is an entrance through the outer bank (Wth of base 4m) and a causeway at E but an entrance to the interior is not clear. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 26 October 2018

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