Monaister

In pasture, commanding extensive view to W and NW. Depicted as hachured rectangular enclosure (110m N-S; 110m E-W) on 1842 and 1904 OS 6-inch maps; on 1937 OS 6-inch map only fosse depicted on W side, bank and fosse elsewhere, entrance shown halfway along E side. Earthen bank (int. H 1m) with external fosse (D 1.16m) survives on E and S sides. Slight scarp on S half of W side and low rise at W end of N side, appear to indicate erased line of defences. Recent break (Wth 4m) in E bank 19m from SE corner, with concrete bridge across fosse. Entrance with causeway recorded by Hartnett (1939, 289) at centre of E bank described as a 'modern break'; now blocked by narrower section of bank (L 7m). Fosse (D 0.7m) recut to depth of 1.6m for use as drainage ditch. Bank on S side, heavily overgrown with bushes, survives for 64m incorporated into field fence system; remaining c. 20m levelled. Fosse (D 1.2m) on S side survives for 76m. Interior grass-covered; natural rise in SW quadrant with some rock outcropping noted. Hartnett (ibid., Fig XLVI no. 2) recorded fosse enclosing W side with causeway c. 20m from SW corner; bank and fosse on N side. According to Hartnett (ibid.) name Monaster 'locally applied to this fort, but there is no tradition to account for its origin'. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 3: Mid Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009