What is recorded here

Freahanes holds a true ringfort, not a fairy tale. Its earthen bank stands 2.2 metres high around a 44-by-40 metre pasture, broken only by a narrow northern causeway and a stone-faced recess on the eastern inside. A small horseshoe-shaped hollow lies at the centre, perhaps marking the dwelling that gave the whole circle its reason. The fairy name may have come later, when people stopped knowing the household but still saw the shape that resisted forgetting.

In pasture, on S-facing slope. Roughly circular area (44m N-S; 40m E-W) enclosed by earthen bank (H 2.2m), with external fosse (D 1.2m). Gap (Wth 1m) in bank to N, with causeway. Stone-faced recess in inner bank face to NE. Interior planted with deciduous trees, possible horseshoe-shaped hut site (4.5m N-S; 5.7m E-W) (CO134-050001-) at centre. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

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