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Promontory fort

Promontory fort, coastal

What is recorded here

Promontory fort in County Cork, Ireland. A sub-rectangular area stands at the junction of two steep stream gullies. Fort makers selected the spur, fenced on two sides by almost perpendicular banks and half the third by a natural fosse, then cut a curved ditch about 108 feet on the west. They built a mound faced with well-set flagstones six to ten inches thick, often two feet square. The facing reached three feet thick, the whole structure eight to ten feet thick, rising six to seven feet over the hollow and three feet over the garth. The site is now inaccessible.
Sub-rectangular area standing at the junction of two steep stream gullies. According to Westropp (1914, 97) 'the fort makers selected this spur (fenced on two sides by almost perpendicular banks and for half the third side by a natural fosse) and cut a curved ditch for about 108 feet' (on W side). Westropp goes on to describe 'a mound with a facing of well-built flagstones, 6 inches to 10 inches thick and often 2 feet square. The facing was 3 feet thick; the whole 8 to 10 feet thick; it rises 6 to 7 feet over the hollow and 3 feet over the garth'. Site in now inaccessible. This is probably the 'old fort (rath?)' described by Coleman (1894, 167) as 'still to be seen overhanging a wild fissure of the ocean' and called "Tigey Kehernagh" after a giant called "Eana Ge Eana, or Geany", hence the townland name Ballygeany. The townland of Ballygeany is immediately to the E of this promontory fort. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

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What survives
Recorded monument

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