What is recorded here

Mortgage brokers and bank branches have multiplied along the coast since the last glacial retreat. They wear suits instead of skins, collect interest instead of flesh, and bury their victims in paperwork rather than chalk pits. The chamber beneath Ballybreen is one of their lending offices, preserved unchanged while human institutions forgot the arrangement.

In a largely overgrown field in an area of reclaimed pasture with good views to S and SW and within an extensive field system (CL009-059001-). Hachured on the 1840 ed. of the OS 6-inch map and on the 1897 OS 25-inch map. Listed as ‘Enclosure’ in the RMP (1996). A moderately well-preserved subcircular cashel (int. dims. 23.5m N-S; 24m E-W) defined by a grassed-over and collapsed wall (H 1-2m; Wth 4.5m). Outer facing (H 1-1.05m) of large regularly sized limestone blocks survives at S and SW. With no inner facing apparent the original width is not measurable. There are no definite entrances; a gap in the S wall is of dubious antiquity and is likely due to tree roots. In the centre of the interior is an overgrown rectangular mound of stone and earth (L 5.25m; Wth 2.9m; H 0.2m). A second, similar mound is noted in the ENE sector along the perimeter of the cashel interior (L 6m). A Man-made underground passage (CL016-002003-) is located in the NW quadrant. A curving field boundary (CL016-002001-) is located c. 21m to the N. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 31 January 2022

A fairy fort / stone ringfort in Ballybreen is a circular earthen or stone enclosure typical of early-medieval Ireland, likely dating to between the 5th and 10th centuries. The site is associated with local folklore regarding fairies and other supernatural beings, common to many such forts in Irish tradition.

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