What is recorded here

Fairy forts are no longer believed to be fairy forts. This is one of them, a circular earthen ring in Brownstown grassland, built by people, lived in by people, and forgotten only until the story changed. The bank still stands, the gate gaps still align, and the SE quadrant still holds dumped stone. That much is fact. The rest is the shape of human life removed from the place, leaving a hole the imagination fills.

In grassland, on break in SE-facing slope. Circular area (30m N-S; 30m E-W) enclosed by earthen bank (int. H 1.6m); shallow fosse to N and NW (D 0.4m). Bank stone faced in parts; survives best NNW->NNE; field clearance material dumped on outer bank face to SE. Breaks in bank to NE and SW joined by trackway crossing interior. Rubble and stones dumped in SE quadrant. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

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