What is recorded here

Boyle's Island in Ballyness Bay, County Donegal, holds an oval stone enclosure that fills most of the land. People call it a fairy fort because small islands often carry that name, yet no clear human purpose has survived for the stones. The sea may have hidden doors, killed travellers or changed the shape of the wall. What remains is a narrow place where human life and fairy story become hard to separate.

The 3rd edition of the OS 6-inch map shows an oval enclo-sure taking up most of the area of Boyle's Island in Ballyness Bay. It was not possible to visit the site but it is possible that the monument resembles the other island cashels in the County (e.g. 819). The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008

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