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Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Shancarnan

Fairy fort / earthen ringfort

What is recorded here

Mound and ditch still mark the Shancarnan fort, though age and purpose have faded from local memory. The earth may have supported a household, a boundary, or a story repeated until belief built the shape.
Situated on a fairly low but meandering N-S ridge. This is a raised circular grass and scrub-covered area (diam. c. 34m E-W; 31m NNW-SSE) that is planted in deciduous trees. It is defined by an earthen bank (Wth of base 5-5.5m; int. H 0.5-0.7m; ext. H 3-3.5m) separated by a fosse (Wth of top 8-10.5m; Wth of base 3; ext. D 1-2m) from an outer earthen bank (Wth of base 5-8m; ext. H 1.2m at NW to 2.5m at SE) that has an external stone facing (max. ext. diam. 57m NW-SE). There is an entrance through both banks and a causeway at ESE. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 22 February 2019 Amended: 15 December 2022

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.

What survives
Recorded monument

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