Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Ballyrobert (barrymore By., Castlelyons Par.)

In level pasture, 400m N of River Bride. Circular area (diam. c. 22m) defined by three, eroded, earthen banks (max. H 0.8m) SW->SE; with shallow intervening fosses and external fosse. Roadway skirts enclosure S->WNW; earthen field fence, planted with mature deciduous trees, encloses site WNW->ENE. Landowner bulldozed southern portion of defences prior to construction of farm buildings. Subsequently, two-week excavation was carried out to investigate break, to E (Wth 2.8m), in ringfort defences, inarea where it was proposed to build slurry pit. Trench (3m x 4m) opened across break, revealed gravel path, of recent date, running through it. No features or finds contemporary with occupation of fort were discovered. Section cut across ringforts defences revealed dump-construction triple bank and fosse arrangement; banks much denuded and fosses well silted-up. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 Part of this monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 14/1983).