What is recorded here
No visible entrance and no surviving structure mark the Formil ringfort today. What remains is a shallow drumlin crest where grass, fern and forgotten soil meet the sky. The fairies may have taken the walls back, but the shape still holds: a round room with no door, waiting for someone reckless enough to enter.
Situated at the crest of the E-facing slope of a drumlin. This was described in 1967 (SMR file) as a circular grass and fern-covered area (diam. 34m WNW-ESE; 33m NNE-SSW) that sloped down to the SE defined by a furze-covered earthen bank (Wth of base c. 3m; int. H c. 0.5m; ext. H c. 1.5m), and an outer fosse that was re-cut as a drain (Wth of base 1.2m; ext. D 0.4m) E-S-W. The original entrance was not identified. It had been removed by 2000 (OSAP).
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 revision: 27 February 2018
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- Recorded monument
Places near here
chimneychimney · 582 yd
Annevale Housefarm house · 1361 yd
Mullaghanee fortFairy fort / earthen ringfort · 1429 yd
CashelFairy fort / stone ringfort · 1576 yd
Fincarn HillMountain / peak · 1.4 mi
Whites IslandIslet · 1.8 mi
Otter Island (South)Islet · 1.9 mi
Bawn in OnomyBawn · 1.9 mi
The CrescentMemorial · 2.0 mi
Big Tom Memorial StatueMemorial · 2.1 mi
Lough MucknoLake and park landscape · 2.1 mi