What is recorded here

Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Athenboy is a fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Athenboy, County Westmeath, Ireland. Situated on a low natural rise on wet, poorly drained land, the site consists of a large sub-circular area with a diameter of 56.5 metres enclosed by a substantial tree-lined earth and stone bank. A wide, shallow external fosse surrounds the monument, featuring a causewayed entrance with a width of 1.75 metres at the northeast and a large gap of modern appearance in the bank at the southeast. Slight traces of cultivation ridges run across the interior, while the ground outside the bank on the northeast and northwest has been somewhat disturbed by quarrying.

Situated on a low natural rise on wet poorly drained land. A large sub-circular shaped area (diam. 56.5m) enclosed by a substantial tree-lined earth and stone bank, wide shallow external fosse with causewayed entrance (Wth 1.75m) at NE. Large gap of modern appearance in bank at SE. the interior has slight traces of cultivation ridges running across the monument. Outside the bank on NE & NW the ground has been somewhat disturbed by quarrying. See attached profile of monument surveyed and drawn by the ASI. Compiled by: Frank Coyne & Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 23 November 2016

A fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Athenboy is a sub-circular early-medieval defensive or habitation site, likely dating to between the 5th and 10th centuries AD. It is associated with local folklore regarding fairy activity, as suggested by its traditional name, and may have been considered a liminal or sacred space in Irish tradition.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.