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Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Gallaras

Fairy fort / earthen ringfort

What is recorded here

No fort remains in Gallaras. The first survey marked a circular earthwork twenty metres across on marshy ground beside Smerwick Harbour, but the second survey drew an oval instead. Measurement and memory collided, and neither could be proved wrong. The marsh took back what the men drew.
There is no visible trace of the circular fort marked on the 1st edition of the OS map and described in the OSNB (Kilmalkedar, 7) as being about 1 chain (c. 20m) in diameter. On the 2nd edition of the OS map it is shown as roughly oval in plan. It was situated on the low-lying, generally marshy land on the E side of Smerwick Harbour. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 684. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 7 August 2013

This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed. The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.

What survives
No visible remains or recorded as destroyed

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