Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Fortwilliam

This record refers to the second of the two ringforts, as described in the Kerry Field Club Notes as follows: ‘There are two high hills of limestone on the lands of Mr Brassil and on top of each is the outline of a large fort round the sides of the hill and much below the ring of the fort are curious insertions a sort of wide short trench cut into the hill where perhaps a couple of men could shelter if attacking the fort on top. There were several of these round the hill. Quarrying operations had been started on both hills but were discontinued because of finding human remains in the hills (KE021-140001-). Also some weapons, described by a local resident as battle axes, had been discovered. This was many years ago, however, and the weapons have long since disappeared.' (Kerry Field Notes 2/11/1940, 137-38). The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), nos. 746, 747. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 2 August 2013

A fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Fortwilliam, likely dating to the early medieval period, is associated with local folklore of fairy activity and otherworldly beings, common to many such sites in Ireland. The Kerry Field Club noted its location on a high limestone hill, suggesting a strategic or ceremonial function.