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Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Lyre (iraghticonnor By.)

Fairy fort / earthen ringfort

What is recorded here

Two rings of earth still hold the shape of Lyre, a rare double defence on Kerry ground. The outer bank has nearly vanished under grass and time, but the inner circle rises above its ditch like a shallow bowl waiting for hands. From that height the land opens in every direction, suggesting the fort was built to see before it was built to hide.
Internal diameter 34.4m N-S, 36m E-W A good view is afforded in all directions from this bivallate rath. It consists of a circular area enclosed by a bank, external fosse and outer bank. The outer bank has been very much levelled and is barely distinguishable. It measures c 7m in width at the base and .lm-.5m in height. The fosse is 3m wide. The enclosing inner bank is 1.6m above the fosse and only about .3m-.6m above the interior. The interior is at a higher level than the surrounding land and has a platform type effect. The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 306. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 2 August 2013

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What survives
Recorded monument

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