What is recorded here

Derreen West holds an unusual density of ringforts, including a largely overgrown oval cashel with a stony bank and a circular hut foundation west of centre. Borlase counted twenty forts between Derreen West and East, while Westropp reported several had been levelled and rebuilt as sheepfolds. The flat terraces face east and west under open sky, suggesting people valued the view as much as the enclosure.

On a flat-terraced area with further rising terraces to the S and good views from W to E. Hachured on the 1842 and 1915 eds. of the 6-inch OS maps. Listed as ‘Enclosure’ in the SMR (1992) and the RMP (1996). A largely overgrown oval cashel (int. dims. 33m N–S; 30m E–W) defined by a stony bank (Wth 4.4m; ext. H 1.1m; int. H 0.5m) with occasional facing-stones (max. H 0.5m) from N to E. The interior is highest ENE to E and a circular hut foundation (CL004-003002-) occurs W of centre. Two other cashels occur 60m NE (CL004-004----) and c. 180m ENE (CL004-007----). The field walls running between these form a field system (CL004-098----) likely contemporary and potentially partially predating these cashels. There is an unusual density of ringforts in this part of the Burren. Borlase (1897, 65) counted 20 between Derreen West and East and 33 on the slope on which they occur (including the NW-facing slope of Knockauns Mountain). Westropp (1901, 10–11) reported several of these to be largely levelled and rebuilt as sheepfolds but still believed them to be of ancient origin. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 16 December 2020

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