Old Fort

Situated on a slight rise at the NW edge of the plateau of Inch Island. A large circular enclosure (ext. diam. c. 100m; int. diam. c. 80m) defined by a wide enclosing feature (Wth c. 10-15m) or two features is depicted on the 1835 edition of the OS 6-inch map where it is described as a 'Old Fort'. It is depicted as enclosed by a single field bank on the 1908 edition. It was described as a subcircular area (dims 32m x c. 26m) enclosed by an earthen bank and a fosse in 1942 (SMR file). The larger area was excluded from forestry established c. 2008 but the area is now overgrown (Google Earth). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cavan' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1995). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 22 December 2008 Amended: 18 March 2021

Old Fort, Inch Island is a large circular ringfort, likely dating to the early medieval period, characterized by an external diameter of approximately 100 meters and a wide enclosing feature or double ditches. Local tradition associates such sites with fairy dwellings, and they were often avoided due to beliefs in supernatural inhabitants.