Fairy fort / stone ringfort in Ballynahowna

In average to poor pasture, situated on an E-facing slope above the Easky River, which lies 150m to E. Excellent views are afforded in all directions, except at S-SW where they are limited by higher ground. Raised subcircular area (42.2m E-W; 41.7m N-S) enclosed from SSE-N by a largely grass-covered wall of drystone masonry incorporating small quantities of earth. Elsewhere the defining element is a steep scarp faced with massive boulders and stones. No fosse. Original entrance not recognisable. A short distance inside the bank at NW is a small rectangular hut site (SL011-088003-) with an entrance (Wth. 0.6m) in the centre of the N wall. Projecting out from the cashel scarp at SSW is a small square structure (SL011-088004-), possibly an animal shelter. The other three sides of the structure are defined by very wide drystone-built walls (Wth. 2.7m) Only three stones of the wall at the ESE side are still upstanding. There is a possible Man-made underground passage (SL011-088002-) in the cashel. The cashel is divided into two approximately equal portions by a NNE-SSW field boundary. Lazy beds traverse the interior. Compiled by: Patrick F. O'Donovan Date of upload: 19 January 2011