What is recorded here

Doonowen may be the oldest name in the area, born from the fort itself rather than the reverse. The wall still stands twenty-nine metres long along the bluff edge, its base five and a half metres thick, though collapse has eaten much of its height. Ash trees grow in the hollow behind it, their roots drinking from a depth no one has measured. The fort watched two waters and one empty sky, and perhaps that is why it gave its name to the land instead of taking one.

In Coole Demesne; on a high limestone bluff between Coole Lough to the E and a turlough to the W with Doo Lough beyond that. This monument may be the source of the townland name - Doonowen. There are extensive views to the E and W. The S extremity of the bluff is defined by the collapsed yet substantial remains (L 29m) of a stone wall (Wth of base including tumble 5.35m; Wth at top 1.1m; int. H 0.35m; ext. H 1.4m including tumble) composed of large blocks of rubble limestone. The wall is partially collapsed externally and more so internally where there appears to be a ledge holding the collapse in place before it falls into a deep hollow below. The hollow makes up most of the area within the wall to the S and it appears to be natural in origin. Several mature ash trees are growing within it, indicating its substantial depth. The best preserved part of the wall is at the W end (Wth 5.55m; int. H 2.3m; ext. H 0.9m) where it is may have been rebuilt. Precipice edges define the E and W sides of the bluff. Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 12 July 2017

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