What is recorded here

Fairy forts are human ringforts misnamed by folklore, and Donaghmore is no exception. Its double bank and central ditch still mark a small defended farmstead from the medieval period. The fairy label is a story later people told because the shape seemed otherworldish. Under that name, the fort becomes a chamber where human life and imagination still meet.

A circular area (diam. c. 32.3m) defined by an inner bank (Wth c. 3.1m; int. H c. 0.7m, ext. H c. 1.3m), intervening fosse (Wth c. 4.2m) and outer bank (Wth c. 2.7m; int. H c. 1.1m, ext. H c. 0.5m) at N. Possible original entrance with causeway at E. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

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