Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Blossomfort

In pasture, on gentle ENE-facing slope. This univallate ringfort is defined by a circular area (48m N-S; 48m E-W) enclosed by an earthen bank (int. H 1.25 to 2m; ext. H c. 2 to 2.6m), and an external fosse (Wth c. 2m; D c. 1 to 2m). On inspection in 1980 and in 2023 the bank was heavily overgrown with hawthorn, hazel and oak trees. There is a break in the bank (Wth 4m) to the WSW. The fosse is not visible S to SW due to heavy overgrowth; it is infilled SW to W. The interior is grass-covered, sloping gently to the E. There is a slightly lower boggy area (Wth c. 3m) around the edge from NNW to SE, with a narrow gap in the bank to the NE allowing water to drain from this area. The site inspection by the OPW, in 1980, noted a recent break in the bank to the W and field clearance material dumped on the defences to the S and W. This is a National Monument in State Care (no. 594). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009