Hillfort in Claraghatlea South

At summit of Claragh Mountain, with extensive view in all directions. Subcircular area (122m E-W; 122m N-S) defined by rubble stone bank (int. H 0.6m; ext. H 1.4m), best preserved NNE->SW; low SW->W; slight traces W->NNE. Possible gap (Wth 8m) to WNW. Close to centre of interior, subrectangular enclosure (19m ENE-WSW; 14m NNW-SSE) defined by band of rubble stone (Wth 1.5m); cairn (diam. 8m; H 0.5m) (CO039-052001-) overlies W corner of enclosure. According to local tradition, priest buried here (Broker 1937, 45) 'c. 300 years ago' (Bowman 1934, 318). In 2014, in the process of erecting a cross at the summit, sections of the enclosing bank were removed at NE and SW. Other recent damage within the interior of the monument appears to have been caused during the installation of a telecom station, OS trigonometrical station and ESB poles. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Updated by: Matt Kelleher Date of upload: 13 October 2014

A local fairy fort (ringfort/rath); wider significance not recorded.