Promontory fort

Situated at the N edge of a low plateau. It is depicted as a large D-shaped feature (dims c. 150m NW-SE; c. 75m NE-SW) with the straight side at NE and defined by a single field bank on the 1834 edition of the OS 6-inch map where it is described as a ‘fort’ in gothic lettering. It is represented as an equally large D-shaped hachured feature with a wooded border (Wth c. 10m) on the NW and NE sides on the 1907 edition. It was known locally as the ‘Black Fort’ and the name was recorded by the Ordinance Survey in the 1830s (Herity 2012, 302). This was a slightly raised triangular grass-covered area (dims 77m NW-SE; c. 58m NE-SW) defined by an overgrown scarp (at NE: H 1.4m) and a berm (at NE: Wth 7m) at the upper edge of the natural slope (total H c. 4m) on the NE side and by a slight scarp (Wth 6m; H 0.8m) on the NW side. The S edge is provided by an uneven grass-covered scarp (at SW: H 1.1m) that was quarried at the SE angle. There is no evidence of a bank, fosse or entrance, but it may have been an inland promontory fort. It had been removed by 1984. The rath (MO031-099----) is c. 100m to the SW. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Monaghan' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1986). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of revision: 31 July 2017