What is recorded here

Fairy fort in Gorteenatarriff is a circular earthen ringfort in level Cork pasture, preserving a neat stone-faced bank and a wide northeast entrance around cultivation ridges still visible inside. Cattle have worn much of the ancient shape, yet the site keeps its identity through the remaining bank, doorway and internal marks. It may have served as a defended home, a boundary marker or a gathering place for the local area. The name suggests later belief that the fort belonged to fairies rather than ordinary people.

In level pasture, commanding good views all round. Circular raised area (50m E-W; 48m N-S) enclosed by earthen bank (max. int. H 0.3m; max. ext. H 1.4m). Bank heavily eroded by cattle; remains of stone facing noted on outer face of bank. Entrance (Wth 4.5m) in bank to NE. Remains of cultivation ridges cross interior on NE-SW axis. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). 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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