DDiscover AloneMapAbout

Fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Cashels

Fairy fort / earthen ringfort

What is recorded here

In pasture, straddles an E–W rise in gently undulating terrain. This circular rath (33m N–S; c. 34m E–W) is centrally bisected by a N-S property fence. To E of the fence the rath has been levelled, and its original outline is discernible only as a slight curving undulation. To W of the fence, the rath survives as a…

Read the whole record
In pasture, straddles an E–W rise in gently undulating terrain. This circular rath (33m N–S; c. 34m E–W) is centrally bisected by a N-S property fence. To E of the fence the rath has been levelled, and its original outline is discernible only as a slight curving undulation. To W of the fence, the rath survives as a slightly raised D-shaped area (33m N–S; 18m E–W to fence) defined by a curving earthen scarp (H 0.8m at W, 1.2m at N), which retains remnants of a broad internal lip. Outside the scarp is a shallow fosse (Wth 3m), bordered externally at S–W by a low stony rise (Wth c. 2m; int. H 0.2-0.35m; ext. H 0.2-0.3m) that may be remnants of an external bank. At NNW an E–W field fence merges with the rath, truncating the fosse and external bank. The N–S fence, which defines the straight E side of the extant W half of the rath, is bordered on its W side by a parallel field ditch cutting through the rath interior. The interior ground surface in the W half is uneven, broken in parts by stones. There is a roughly circular depression (diam. c. 3m) at NW, and another shallow depression (max. dims. c. 7m) at SW. The entrance to the rath appears most likely to have been on the levelled E half. On the W half, hazel and hawthorn grow on the bank, and brambles encroach on the interior; the levelled E half is grass covered. There is a rath (MA082-025----) 280m to W and a possible cashel (MA082-044----) 180m to SSW.

From the National Monuments Service (Archaeological Survey of Ireland) record MA082-027

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

What do you know about this place?Tap to add a comment or ask a question

What you write will be public.

Places near here

Photo credits
  • National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
  • David Purchase, Geograph · Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0
  • Mike Searle, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Paul Cowan, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Duncan Grant, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Saint Joseph's Catholic ChurchChurch/chapel · 1.3 mi

Explorer Tom Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Killeen has a hidden tunnel to the pub, or so the legend goes. It’s got that pointed Gothic style that looks like it’s trying to fly. Count the crosses if you dare to get lost in thought.

Tighe Achadh MórHouse · 1.3 mi

Explorer Tom Tighe Achadh Mór in Killeen has polygonal bay windows that make it look like it’s trying to show off its geometry skills. It’s got a Classically-detailed doorcase that screams 'I read a book about architecture once'. Just admire the compact plan from the road and hope the recent repairs hold up.

T.j. RogersHouse · 1.4 mi

Explorer Tom T.J. Rogers in Aghamore is named after a bloke who died in 1956, which feels very final for such a cute little stucco box. It’s got sleek details and a high roof that looks like it’s trying to reach the sky. Probably just waiting for someone to tell it the party started ages ago. Shout hello from the road if you feel bold!

Grave YardGraveyard · 1.4 mi

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Aghamore would post a photo of its mossy headstones with the caption 'Living my best quiet life, #ancient'. It’s got that moody, atmospheric vibe going on that makes you feel instantly profound. Have a wander and a wonder.

CastleCastle, unclassified · 2.1 mi

Explorer Tom Castle on Island Lake hates when people ask if it’s haunted; it prefers ‘mysteriously absent’. It vanished so fast the locals just shrugged and built a house instead. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.

IndicatedHouse, fortified house · 2.2 mi

Explorer Tom House in Island is currently being judged by rabbits who think its gunloops are just fancy holes for them to hide in. They’re not wrong, actually. Get there early and have it all to yourself.

East Mayo Brigade MonumentMemorial · 3.8 mi

Explorer Tom East Mayo Brigade Monument stands there looking serious, probably because two lads in the pub once made a bet about who could build the flashiest stone. They lost their shirts over it, but hey, we got a monument that looks like it’s judging your haircut every time you pass by. It’s got that 'don't touch me' energy, which is fair enough. Pretend it's yours and plan the housewarming.

Knock MuseumMuseum · 5.2 mi

Explorer Tom Knock Museum has a superstition locals swear by that if you touch the doorframe three times, your luck will improve, but nobody admits to doing it. It’s a museum that feels like it knows more than it lets on, keeping its cards close to the chest. I bet the exhibits are just waiting for someone brave enough to ask the right questions about the old days. Ring your granny and tell her where you are.

Knock ShrineHeritage attraction · 5.2 mi

Explorer Tom I'll keep my big mouth quiet for the people praying at Knock. Knock Shrine grew from an evening that the people present never forgot. On 21 August 1879, Mary Byrne and other villagers said they saw figures at the church gable while the Mayo rain came down. Their accounts describe a still scene that lasted nearly two hours, with people gathering and praying; the witnesses also said the ground around the figures stayed dry. I am not going to tell you what they saw. Mayo rain rarely asks my permission, but the witnesses' account asks for careful listening. What I can tell you is that their words were taken down by a church inquiry that autumn, and a second inquiry in 1936 returned to surviving witnesses because many early papers were thought lost. The original wall attracted so many visitors that pieces were taken away as souvenirs. Today this is a living place of pilgrimage, so enter with care for the people who have come to pray. Whatever you believe, listen to how a wet evening changed a village's place in the world.

CashelFairy fort / stone ringfort · 6.6 mi

Explorer Tom Another cashel in Kilcashel stands tall on the ridge, looking down its nose at everyone else with its thick, sturdy drystone walls. The builder was definitely thinking about views when they stacked those rocks, ignoring the wind and the cold completely. Bring biscuits, every good story needs biscuits.

I'll Send You The FareMemorial · 8.4 mi

Explorer Tom I'll Send You The Fare has a serious feud with the rain, getting wetter than any other memorial in the county because it stands out too proud. It’s dedicated to people who emigrated from Kiltimagh and Bohola in the 1950s, which is quite the journey for a sculpture to be thinking about. I bet it wishes it could send its own fare back to the dry side. Whisper a secret at it, it's kept worse.

Thorn CaveCave · 9.1 mi

Explorer Tom Thorn Cave in Mayo is basically a goatee for geology, just all prickly and weird. A goat once ruled this spot with an iron hoof and demanded tribute in the form of clover. This is your ideal stop for a massive stretch and a yawn that could wake the dead.

More archaeology and monuments in County Mayo · All of County Mayo

Add to this placeAdd a picture Add a detailed tip Add a story

Explore the map1,093,392 places to discover

Next place · or swipeSaint Joseph's Catholic Church