Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Lisleagh (fermoy By.)

In pasture, on edge of break in SW-facing slope. Circular area (diam. 63m) defined by earthen bank (H 1.75m); external fosse (excavated D 2m); low counterscarp bank (H 0.77m). Entrance (Wth c. 3m) to SSE with partial remains of causeway. Traces of smaller circular enclosure (diam. 38m) in interior concentric to external bank, visible as low rise NW->SW and as scarp (H c. 1m) SW->NW with slight internal lip, shallow fosse; entrance to to SSE. Inner enclosure raised to W to compensate for hillslope; interior slopes gently down to SW except for steeper drop to WSW between inner and outer enclosure. Excavations as 'Lisleagh I' by M. Monk (1981-5) revealed that inner enclosure was an early univallate fort; shortly after its construction, bank largely demolished by backfilling into V-shaped fosse (D * ); replaced by existing larger diameter ringfort. This later bank survives in parts to full height, crowned with trench for single-phase stake-built palisade; heavily compacted 'pathway' along top of bank just inside palisade. Entrance passage has remains of drystone revetting; re-cut post-holes for simple gate; two phases of paving extending into interior. Partial excavation of interior revealed remains of seven circular structures (diams. 5-7m), of which structure I at least could have been associated with earlier fort. Earliest structure (I) stake-built with off-centre hearth. Succeeded by smaller structure (V) (diam. 5m), with double walls of wattle screening; hearth re-built on same location; in early phases contiguous and probably forming figure-of-eight structure with larger structure II (diam. c. 7m) to W. Structures III and VII probably also formed figure-of-eight structure. Most structures stake-and-wattle built, two with central hearths (II and VII). Structure (III) to E, built partially over backfilled inner fosse; problems with subsidence caused numerous re-builds of E wall [including one where wall formed of squared contiguous uprights set into a wallplate]. Structures I, V and III partially destroyed by fire. Possible Man-made underground passage entrance (CO027-157---), late in sequence, in NE quadrant. Small smithying hearth and other possible industrial remains to W of interior also late in sequence. Massive dump of smelting slag in fosse to SW (C14 dated to 720-+30ad), with bowl-furnace bottoms, tuyeres. Finds include imported pottery, glass beads, ring-pins, bronze buckle, shale bracelets, perforated stone discs etc.; C14 dates range from c. 400AD to 890AD. Scatter of prehistoric remains (CO027-158---) underlies site. (Monk 1995, 105-116; Monk 1988, 57-60). Second ringfort (CO027-03001-) lies c. 40m to SE. 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