What is recorded here

Illanfad is a small Donegal island where a collapsed stone ring sits at the beach end, its thick wall fallen but still drawing the eye. People called it a fairy fort, perhaps because the shape appeared sudden and empty on the open pasture. A modern sheep pen leans against one side, mixing human use and local wonder in the same place.

Internal diam. 7.9m. A subcircular area enclosed by a collapsed stone wall averaging 2.5m in width. There is some slab present in the walling. A modern sheep pen is built at the S side of the 'Fort'. It is situated at the SSE end of Illanfad island abutting the beach. The island consists of good pasture. 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

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